While Liverpool’s heavy defeat at Manchester City hasn’t got in the way of this season’s success, it might have given Jurgen Klopp some food for thought ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
City will likely be the biggest threat to the Reds’ title defence, with Pep Guardiola almost certain to strengthen his squad.
Liverpool may well need to do the same, even if it means finding value in the market rather than rushing into big-money deals.
Here’s the latest paper talk from across Europe as the Premier League champions begin to look for ways to build on their success next season.
Thiago 'has said goodbye' to Bayern team-mates amid Liverpool links
Talk of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago moving to Liverpool has spread as far as the Bundesliga champions’ dressing room, with Bild’s Christian Falk claiming the Spaniard has already begun to say goodbye to his team-mates.
Falk suggests reports in Sport that the player is in advanced negotiations with Liverpool are slightly wide of the mark, but there has been plenty of talk of progress over a summer switch.
Thiago may therefore make his final Bayern appearance in Saturday’s cup final against Bayer Leverkusen. The 29-year-old is believed to be available for a knock-down price, with his contract in Bavaria due to expire in 2021.
Liverpool scouts to watch goalkeeper target ahead of potential move
Liverpool have not ruled out signing Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, according to reports in the country, and are believed to be sending scouts to watch the Trabzonspor number one in action.
According to Asist Analiz, via Sport Witness, Chelsea, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with the 24-year-old, who made his senior international debut last year and has played 37 times for the Super Lig title contenders this season.
Trabzonspor are second in the table with five games remaining, but can return to the summit if they win at Galatasaray and league leaders Istanbul Basaksehir fail to pick up all three points away to Antalyaspor.
Reds to monitor Leverkusen’s Bailey in German cup final
Liverpool are among a number of English clubs who will have scouts in attendance at the German cup final, and Sky Sports reports that Leon Bailey will be one of the players on their radar.
The Jamaican is understood to be keen on a Premier League switch, and scouts from Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton are also expected to be present as his Leverkusen side attempt to upset Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The 22-year-old winger, who would reportedly be available for between £20million and £30m, has eight goal involvements this season at a rate of one goal or assist every 137 minutes, per WhoScored.
However, he hasn’t scored since March, when he netted in a Europa League win away to Rangers.
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
