Liverpool want to bring in two massive transfer targets
Jurgen Klopp was happy to guide Liverpool to a fourth place Premier League finish this season, but he has larger ambitions. That’s precisely why the higher-ups at Anfield are prepared to back him with a massive transfer budget this summer.
Reports from England claim that Klopp has already identified his two top targets. The German gaffer wants to add a world-class player to his attack and his defence. The latter isn’t surprising given the Reds’ propensity to leak goals from the back this season.
Liverpool are prepared to pip Chelsea for the signing of Virgil van Dijk. The Southampton defender could be just the man to cure the club’s defensive ills. He was massive for the Saints this season. Van Dijk’s ability to win aerial duels would be of particular use to Klopp’s defense.
Securing his services won’t be cheap though. The Saints are conducting a proper bidding war for their star defender. Liverpool will need to bid at least £50 million to beat back the likes of Chelsea to win this transfer race.
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The club’s massive summer spending won’t stop there. Klopp’s attack was excellent this season, but he won’t stand pat with his current attacking corps. Instead, he wants to add another world-class player to his attacking midfield.
Predictably, Klopp still maintains a great deal of interest in Bundesliga football. That’s where he’ll go for his primary attacking target.
The object of his offensive summer affections is RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
The German upstarts had hoped that a £50 million price tag would keep potential suitors at bay. Unfortunately for Leipzig, that was a massive miscalculation. Their asking price has only emboldened clubs like Liverpool to step up their efforts.
Keita’s wages won’t be an issue either. He reportedly is only looking for £120 thousand per week in his new contract. That sort of compensation will fit neatly into the wage structure at Anfield.
There are serious questions over whether or not Keita’s transfer price tag will increase as the summer moves on. In the end, Liverpool may need to pay upwards of £60 million to win the race for Keita. Klopp would still support that kind of cash outlay for the Bundesliga star.
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Liverpool know they’ll need to spend big to move up in the Premier League this summer. Fortunately for the Anfield faithful, Jurgen Klopp is prepared to do just that.