Liverpool in full race to sign €80m midfield wizard as Manchester United pulls back

Liverpool is reportedly ‘in the race to sign Frenkie de Jong from FC Barcelona and the Netherlands during the forthcoming winter transfer window.

With the January transfer market beginning in less than a month, De Jong’s move to the Premier League seems only reasonable.

During the summer, the Dutchman was extensively linked with a move to Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s major transfer goal, according to reports.

The Red Devils even agreed on a deal with Barcelona, but the player was never interested in joining United.

United eventually conceded defeat in their pursuit of Real Madrid’s Casemiro. This was a much easier transaction to close because the Brazilian was truly interested.

Meanwhile, De Jong remains at Barcelona, where he played prominently under Xavi in the run-up to the World Cup.

According to the Spanish outlet Fichajes, De Jong may not be a Barcelona player for much longer.

They claim that Liverpool has entered the race to sign De Jong because he is a player who Jurgen Klopp admires.

It is also suggested that Barcelona ‘want to sell’ De Jong as they are hoping to ‘lower their wage bill’.

His contract is not due to expire until 2026 but they are ‘willing’ to let him go as soon as January.

The report also claims that ‘they would let him out for 80 million euros.

They go on to say that De Jong’s departure does not appear awful if Barcelona guarantees him continuity at his next club. Man United, presumably, does not meet this need.

Fichajes later claims that Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are potential replacements for Liverpool.

Bellingham is believed to be Liverpool’s major target, but he is set to cost more than £100 million next summer.

If the Englishman continues to impress at the World Cup, his value will most likely rise. Liverpool will also face competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid for his signature.

The Reds certainly need to sign at least one midfielder next summer as Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract in 2023.

Football Insider is reporting that Liverpool is now ‘willing to let Keita go’ after performing a ‘U-turn’.

In their report, it is indicated that Liverpool was initially ‘keen for Keita to stay’ beyond this season.

However, they ‘wanted him to take a wage reduction,’ and ‘negotiations failed to secure an accord.’

Liverpool does not want to lose him for any reason, but it is now more probable that he will finish his contract so that he has more options in the summer.

The English club paid roughly £48 million to sign Keita, but his tenure in the Premier League has been marred by injury problems. He has yet to appear in the league this season.