Jorg Schmadtke working on two shortlists for double Liverpool transfer plan
Where things stand on Liverpool transfers for potential midfield and centre-back signings as Jorg Schmadtke takes the lead
Such is the unquenchable thirst for transfers, no sooner had Alexis Mac Allister been announced as a Liverpool player then the clamour began for the next new face.
And there’s no doubt the Argentina World Cup winner won’t be the last signing as Jurgen Klopp begins to ramp up efforts to reinforce his squad following a hugely disappointing campaign.
A busy time, then, for new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke. While predecessor Julian Ward put in the groundwork for Mac Allister’s arrival, the handover is now complete with Schmadtke now taking the lead on all incoming and outgoing deals.
Further bolstering the midfield remains a priority, although Liverpool’s desire to refresh their engine room has prompted open season in terms of players being linked, whether it be agents looking to raise the profile of their client or seeking a better contract from their present club.
They aren’t all incorrect, however. French duo Khephren Thuram of Nice and Manu Kone of Borussia Moenchengladbach – where Schmadtke’s son Nils was last week appointed sporting director – remain on the shortlist as Liverpool now look to determine preferred and achievable targets. Ryan Gravenberch is another, although Bayern Munich have not appeared keen to sell having only signed the Dutchman in the summer. All three are 22 or under.
Earlier monitoring of Chelsea’s England international Conor Gallagher has not been taken any further as of yet. While mindful of the requirement for homegrown talent given the imminent departures of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, it won’t overly influence who Liverpool bring in, with Mason Mount now edging nearer to a Manchester United move.
Interest in Matheus Nunes of Wolverhampton Wanderers has also cooled in recent weeks. And while huge admirers of Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United, the recruitment team accept a move for the Brazilian is almost certainly a non-starter.
With Adrian close to penning a contract extension, a new goalkeeper is also not on the agenda unless Caoimhin Kelleher pushes for a move elsewhere. He, too, may benefit from extra first-team minutes in Europe.
But one area where Liverpool are certainly looking is centre-back, as admitted by Jurgen Klopp last month.
It would be slightly overstating matters to say the heart of the defence is a ticking time bomb. But with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both in their 30s, the latter entering the last 12 months of his contract and Joe Gomez struggling for consistency in the position, it would be a proactive move from Liverpool, particularly with one or both of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams likely to have suitors this summer. If not this summer, a new centre-back will arrive inside the next 12 or so months.
one with the potential to grow into the position. England under-21 international Levi Colwill, who has returned to Chelsea after an impressive season on loan at Brighton, would fit the bill and is admired by the Liverpool recruitment team. The Reds, though, have not at present registered any official interest in Micky van de Ven, who is at Schmadtke’s former club Wolfsburg. As with midfielders, Liverpool are now looking to whittle down the list of possible targets.
Schmadtke may still be getting his feet under the table at Liverpool. But there are evidently two clear objectives for him to achieve before the new season begins.