Max Meyer is ruled out as a Liverpool target, Jetro Willems could be Klopp’s replacement for Ben Chilwell and Joe Allen is set to have a medical with Stoke City.
In the last few days there have been rumours circulating that Shalke’s youth academy graduate, Max Meyer could be the subject of a £28 million bid from Liverpool. It wasn’t a rumour that made much sense with the Reds well stocked in attacking midfield but when do transfer rumours ever make sense?
Shalke’s Sporting Director Christian Heidel has rubbished reports linking Liverpool with a £28 million move for Meyer.
German news outlet, Bild had initially claimed that Liverpool were considering make a £28 million bid for the highly touted midfielder with it obvious that Klopp is just going to shove several attacking midfielders into the gaping hole at left-back. There is a clear flaw with the current Liverpool squad and that is left back, or more specifically Alberto Moreno.
Heidel, while talking to Sky Sports in Germany (via Bild), dismissed any reports linking Liverpool with a move for Meyer with Shalke intent on holding onto their young star.
“Meyer is a really good player but a move to Liverpool is nonsense,” Heidel said. “I’ve known Mr Klopp for a while now and I have spoken with him recently.
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“I think he would have mentioned the player by name if interest had been there. Apart from this, Max is not on our sales list.”
Shalke’s highly rated midfielder still has two years remaining on his current dear at the Veltins Arena. He has been with the Bundesliga side for 7 years, making over 100 appearances and has scored 19 goals in all competitions.
Any pursuit of Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell will need to be intensified with the young fullback close to agreeing a new deal with last season’s Premier League champions. Klopp is in the market for a new left-back after Alberto Moreno’s dreadful defensive showings last term. The Telegraph reported on Saturday that Chilwell had decided to remain at Leicester but his future is still uncertain with deal yet to be signed.
It may be that Liverpool aren’t even interested in signing the 19-year old anymore with De Telegraaf (via the Independent) claiming that Klopp could turn to Dutch fullback, Jetro Willems as a defensive solution. This could present as many issues as it would solve. Willems may not necessarily be a better attacking player than Moreno but there are doubts as to whether or not he is actually a better defender than Liverpool’s wayward Spaniard.
Should Willems sign for the Merseyside club he would be the second Dutchman to sign this transfer window with Georginio Wijnaldum joining from Newcastle United.
Speculation over a potential move for Willems has intensified after the PSV Eindhoven defender tweeted to Wijnadlum wishing him luck and said, ‘see each other again soon.’ A transfer for the Dutch international would cost Liverpool around £13 million.
Joe Allen’s move to Stoke City is on the brink of completion with the Mirror reporting that the Welshman is having a medical today. Allen to Stoke would see £13 million being pocketed by Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group will make a £2 million loss on a midfielder who has never really found his feet at Liverpool but it seems that the club is ready cut its losses. He enjoyed a purple patch in Rodgers’ diamond formation in the 2013/14 season but other than that he has seen more of the bench.
Allen has agreed personal terms with the Potters with Mark Hughes coaxing him into the move.
Liverpool have already signed Loris Karius in goal to compete with Simon Mignolet after the Belgian endured a torrid season in goal for the Reds last season. Following the loans of Danny Ward and Adam Bogdan to Huddersfield Town and Wigan Athletic respectively, Alex Manninger was signed from FC Augsburg to provide cover. Jöel Matip was signed on a free from Shalke and Ragnar Klavan was signed to provide defensive cover after a number of Liverpool’s defenders fell foul of injury. Marko Grujic and Georginio Wijnaldum are the club’s midfield reinforcements with Sadio Mané providing width and pace up top following his £34 million transfer to Merseyside.