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Liverpool are preparing for the official start of their 2020/21 season, a campaign in which they will defend their status as English champions for the first time in three decades.
The Reds’ season kicks off Saturday with the Community Shield at Wembley against Arsenal, but as a battle for silverware rages on the field, the club is also turning a lot of plates.
Several players have been linked to departures from Anfield, and first-team players like Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana have already left for Zenit and Brighton respectively.
In terms of revenue, Kostas Tsimikas is the only newcomer, although Liverpool have also made some youth transfers this summer.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s team could make a couple of big moves in the transfer market as they look to build on their recent success and, to use the manager’s words, attack another handful of trophies. Here are the latest transfer rumors regarding the Anfield club.
Wijnaldum contract status ‘open’, says Klopp
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Georginio Wijnaldum only has one year left on his contract with Liverpool and is still linked to a signing for Barcelona.
Recent reports suggest he has yet to hold talks with the Reds about an extension, and Klopp was asked about the Dutch midfielder and his possible departure before the Community Shield.
However, the Liverpool manager did not offer any firm indication as to whether the midfielder would stay in Merseyside.
“That’s an open contract situation, obviously, otherwise we would know,” said the manager.
“That means we don’t talk about it, that’s all. I never did, so why should I change it now? That’s it between us and the player, and all these kinds of things.
“Everything is fine at the moment, everything is fine. Gini looked really good in the preseason, obviously he played a couple of good seasons for us, so that’s all I can say about it. “
It has been suggested that Wijnaldum could usher in the arrival of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago at Anfield.
‘There is no chance’ that Liverpool will enter Messi’s career
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Not that it would have been expected, but Klopp has closed the door to any suggestion that Liverpool will seek to exploit Lionel Messi’s unhappiness in Barcelona.
The best player in the world seems ready to leave the Camp Nou as things are, and Klopp answered a question before the game with Arsenal.
Naturally, he did not hesitate to acknowledge Messi’s quality, but the finances involved are little more than a fairy tale for a club that relies on self-sustainability.
Klopp said: “Yes, who doesn’t want Messi in their team ?! But there is no chance. The numbers are not for us. But … good player, to be honest!”
He also said it would make it “more difficult” to beat Manchester City if the Argentine joins Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, but expressed doubts whether the move would come about.
“He has never played in another league,” he said. “Soccer is different here. I’d like to see it. I’m not sure I will.”
Mane ‘very angry’ after Real Madrid’s failed move
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
With reports that emerged that Barcelona received Sadio Mane, the Spanish media have reviewed last summer and a possible change to his rival, Real Madrid.
The print edition of Diario Sport, via Sport Witness, claims that members of Mane’s camp approached the Santiago Bernabéu club about the possibility of making a deal, but it never went much further than that.
That’s because Liverpool refused to even consider the idea of talking to Real Madrid, leaving No. 10 “very angry” at his club and unhappy about the lack of a new contract.
Mane only signed a new contract in November 2018, roughly seven months before the rumored royal interest, so this latest claim seems somewhat false.
Awoniyi linked as Edouard’s replacement
(Image: John Powell)
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One player who will definitely not be with the Reds next season is Taiwo Awoniyi.
The Nigerian forward does not have a work permit to play in England and has yet to play for the Reds since signing five years ago.
The 23-year-old has been on loan to five different clubs in three different countries and the Daily Star says Celtic are interested in signing him.
They would see him as a replacement for Odsonne Edouard, who could leave this summer after Celtic failed to reach the group stage of the Champions League.
A £ 9 million fee is reported to be the price for Awoniyi, who was with Mainz in the Bundesliga last season.
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