Liverpool are beginning to ramp up their efforts in the transfer market after a quiet start to the summer.
The Reds have been keen to assess how their squad will look under Arne Slot, after choosing the Dutchman to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Slot has had the full pre-season tour of the USA to take a closer look at the Liverpool squad and he and sporting director Richard Hughes appear to have now come to some decisions.
Midfield has quickly come to be seen as the area that Liverpool would most like to do business in. Wataru Endo is up for sale having failed to convince Slot and a deal for Martin Zubimendi is being worked on.
As the Reds continue to wait for an answer from Zubimendi, though, it seems they have been given some bad news by another potential target.
Maximilian Beier says no to Liverpool
Liverpool supporters are rightly expectant at the thought of Zubimendi playing for their team. The 25-year-old could be the answer Slot has been searching for.
Although Zubimendi is similar to Alexis Mac Allister, the Spaniard will still bring something the Reds have been missing perhaps since the days of Xabi Alonso at Anfield.
Aside from the midfield, though, there have been claims that Slot has also been looking to upgrade the Liverpool attack.
The head coach has five excellent forward options to choose from already, but is seemingly keen on another. Hence the relentless links to Anthony Gordon.
READ MORE: Paul Scholes shares the two summer signings he thinks Liverpool need to make
Gordon is not the only attacker the Reds have been linked with, though. There have been reports that Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier has been attracting Liverpool’s interest, too.
However, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Beier has now chosen to snub Liverpool and join Borussia Dortmund instead.
“FC Liverpool have never lost their focus on Maximilian Beier,” says Plettenberg. “There were talks in recent days and weeks! But we‘ve been told again today: Beier has clearly decided to join Borussia Dortmund over all other options.
“Process ongoing to reach the total agreement between BVB and Beier. After that, Dortmund will open the negotiations with Hoffenheim.”
Liverpool won’t lose interest in Beier
This will perhaps not necessarily be a huge blow to Liverpool. Although Beier has been described as ‘incredible‘ by Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, he would not move the needle for the Reds.
Talented though he clearly is, the Germany international is not better than anything Slot can currently call upon from his squad.
Nevertheless, Liverpool obviously do like Beier. And with the 21-year-old opting for Dortmund, it seems very likely that the Reds will keep their eye on how he does there.
If Beier can continue the form which saw him score 16 Bundesliga goals last season, then it seems virtually certain that Liverpool will retain their interest.
For now, all focus is on getting the Zubimendi deal over the line. But this could still be one to revisit at some stage in the future.
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