The Frenkie de Jong transfer saga rumbles on, and Liverpool are the latest Premier League side linked with a move for the Barcelona midfielder, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Reds are scrambling for a new midfielder with just under a week left until the transfer window closes for the summer.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had initially ruled out the possibility of signing a new midfielder before the transfer deadline, but the need for midfield reinforcement was all too obvious in his side’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The German boss was forced to field a makeshift midfield trio of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Harvey Elliot.
However, they failed to get a grip of the game as Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen ran the show for Erik ten Hag’s side.
With Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita all sidelined due to injuries, Liverpool need some cover in the middle of the park.
They have now been linked with a move for De Jong and are willing to make a £53 million plus £7m in add-ons offer for the player if he decides to leave Barca.
De Jong has been heavily linked with a move away from the Spotify Camp Nou this summer, with Chelsea and United also interested.
Chelsea are offering the player a higher wage and are willing to settle the deferred wages owed to him by Barca, while United are offering a higher transfer fee.
The Spanish giants had tried to force De Jong to accept a salary reduction or leave the club after threatening to take legal action against the former Ajax man.
They claimed their lawyers found clear indications of criminality in the contract he signed in the Josep Bartomeu era.
However, the player is unmoved by those threats. He does not want to take a pay cut and has reiterated his desire to stay in Spain.
Several reports have suggested that if the 25-year-old was to leave the Catalan club, he would prefer a move to Chelsea instead of United as the West Londoners can offer him Champions League football.
However, the emergence of Liverpool as a potential suitor could throw a wrench in Chelsea’s plans as the Reds are desperate to bring in a new midfielder.
De Jong would fit Klopp’s side as he can match the intensity the German manager wants his team to play with.
His vision, press resistance ability, and creativity would come in handy for Liverpool, and he could be a long-term replacement for the injury-troubled Thiago in midfield.
De Jong was on the scoresheet in Barca’s entertaining 3-3 friendly draw against Manchester City in a charity match to raise funds in the fight against ALS.
Xavi has insisted he wants the player to remain with the Blaugranas, but his future is still up in the air with the transfer window deadline less than a week away.
