Liverpool in talks over stunning late window raid for £60m-rated Aston Villa star; Klopp is a huge admirer
Liverpool are considering whether to launch an approach on Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz this week after it was revealed that talks had been held over a possible move for the Brazilian midfielder.
Jurgen Klopp’s side still remain very active in the final week of the transfer window having only managed to sign three midfielders so far. And while Dominik Szoboszlai has shown real promise so far, there are hopes that Alexis Mac Allister and Waturu Endo will also prove astute signings.
However, with six midfielders leaving Anfield this summer – two of which in Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were not planned for – Klopp remains desperate to bring in at least one more midfield addition.
Furthermore, Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool need to go even further if they are to challenge Manchester City for the title this season. Branding them ‘not good enough’ as things stand, he believes the Reds need two signings this week to close that gap on Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side.
As far as potential midfield recuits go, Liverpool are being linked with several names. One target – Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure – comes with a hefty £70m price tag on his head. And while Klopp seemingly is keen, the Malian’s asking price is likely to deter an approach.
To that end, reports in Germany suggest a move for Kouadio Kone could be a goer. The Borussia Monchengladbach star is currently sidelined by injury and one expert reckons his price has tumbled as a result, increasing Liverpool’s prospects of a deal.
Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch also continues to be linked with a move to Merseyside.
READ MORE: Bundesliga expert gives green light for Liverpool transfer; bid ‘expected’ as price tag dramatically tumbles
Liverpool are admirers of Douglas Luiz
One new name though that has emerged on Monday morning is Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian star has been linked with moves away from Villa Park on numerous occasions since establishing himself at Aston Villa.
Indeed, the 25-year-old came closest to leaving in the summer of 2022, with Mikel Arteta seeing two bids fall short with Villa. Arsenal’s interest in the nine-times capped star still lingers too, despite their capture of Declan Rice in a club-record £105m deal.
The former Manchester City academy man has also been linked with moves to Tottenham over the past year.
A cornerstone of the Villa midfield and now into his fifth season at the club, he has clocked up 155 appearances, scoring 14 goals.
And while Villa tied Luiz down to a new deal last year, keeping him at Villa Park until summer 2026, rumours of a move away refuse to go away.
Now, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Luiz is a name also being discussed by Liverpool with Klopp seemingly a huge admirer.
And while the Reds are yet to make a formal approach to Villa, Luiz’s name has been the subject of heated debate among the corridors of power at Anfield.
Jacobs said: “Yeah, Douglas Luiz is a name that has been discussed internally by Liverpool. I’m not aware of any movement at this point.
“I think that it’s crystal clear that Liverpool wants to add between now and the end of the window if the right name becomes available.”
Luiz is rated at least £60m by Villa, so any Liverpool move would not come cheap
However, Villa would be reluctant to sell. He is very much a key figure in Unai Emery’s plans, having helped Villa to a flying start to the season. With three games played, Villa have six points on the board, suffering a surprise 5-1 hammering at Newcastle on the opening day.
READ MORE: The 70 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns: Lavia, Andre, Doucoure…
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