England midfielder Declan Rice could end up being the "forbidden dream" that got away for Jurgen Klopp.
Having side-stepped a swoop for Real Madrid-bound Jude Bellingham this summer, due to the high costs involved, Liverpool instead opted to spread out their transfer budget on several midfielders. Argentina playmaker Alexis Mac Allister is already through the door, while speculation builds as to who might be next.
Mason Mount, James Ward-Prowse, Nicolo Barella, Ryan Gravenberch are among countless names who have been linked with a follow-up move to Anfield. Klopp, though, seemingly had his eye on someone else.
Declan Rice
With the transfer window set to reopen on Wednesday morning, Rice is closing in on a £100m switch to Arsenal as some bookmakers offer up slim 1/20 odds he will touch down at the Emirates Stadium before next season. That's despite Klopp reportedly earmarking him as a preferred option.
READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe transfer revelation shows brutal truth about Liverpool and FSG
READ MORE: Join the Liverpool ECHO's LFC transfer news and top stories WhatsApp community
Speaking to Give Me Sport about the soon-to-be former West Ham captain, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti said: "A mini revolution is expected in the Liverpool midfielder after the arrival of [Alexis] Mac Allister from Brighton. There will certainly be other signings, Declan Rice is for sure Klopp's forbidden dream.
"The West Ham player will not renew his contract expiring in June 2024 and he's ready to leave this summer after winning the Conference League. Arsenal are leading the race for him, and he's their top target, but anything could happen..."
Manu Kone
Reports from The Daily Mail suggest Liverpool will encounter competition for proposed target Manu Kone from two other Premier League clubs. As per the article, Aston Villa and Wolves are keeping tabs on the highly-rated Borussia Monchengladbach starlet - who operates primarily as a central midfielder.
Kone, 22, is currently preparing to take part in the upcoming U21 European Championships.
Along with Khephren Thuram - who will also represent France at that tournament - the midfielder features high on the shopping list for Liverpool this summer as they strive for further additions. According to the same article, he has been valued at around £35m by the Bundesliga outfit.
Tyler Adams
Liverpool could enter the race for Leeds United midfielder and United States captain Tyler Adams.
That's according to reports from Team Talk after the Yorkshire side were relegated from the Premier League last season. Adams, 24, performed well despite collective struggles at Elland Road and several elite clubs from Europe have been linked with his £40m signature.
Adams signed for Leeds from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig last summer and cost them €17m at that stage. However, should the Reds or other potential suitors come calling, the American could be priced up at more than double that figure as Manchester United and Newcastle also monitor his situation.
READ NEXT:
