Despite the excellent work Liverpool have already done in the transfer market, sporting director Richard Hughes is not done just yet.
Liverpool have already experienced extraordinary success over the past month or so welcoming Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz to Anfield, a duo set to be joined by Milos Kerkez.
Arne Slot and Hughes have been planning for this window for some time and to say they’re wasting no time is a bit of an understatement.
Liverpool still want to buy a striker and there could be additions in several other areas too, but after Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen, Hughes might need to oversee one or two more sales first.
And it’s now looking increasingly likely that Federico Chiesa will leave Liverpool after just a one year stay, a player who needs to play regularly if he wants to represent Italy at next summer’s World Cup.
Federico Chiesa will need to leave before Liverpool can sign Malick Fofana
That being said, journalist Sascha Tavolieri has now claimed that Federico Chiesa’s future is intrinsically linked to Liverpool’s interest in Malick Fofana.
Reporting for Sky Sports in Switzerland, the journalist claimed that Liverpool do have ‘concrete interest’ in Fofana, but a move will depend on Chiesa departing first.
Malick Fofana in action for Olympique Lyonnais in their game against Stade Rennais FC in the Ligue 1.
Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
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It’s been reported elsewhere recently that Liverpool have started talks to sign Fofana, although Lyon’s valuation might prove to be a problem.
According to Tavolieri, Lyon value 20-year-old Fofana at €50m (£43m), however, given clubs like Chelsea are also interested, the French club hope that a bidding war can push his price up to €70m (£60m).
For Lyon in Ligue 1 last season the Belgium international made 29 appearances, scoring five goals and providing four assists.
And whilst the youngster could be a promising long-term addition for Slot’s side, those prices might not represent good value right now.
Liverpool set their asking price for Federico Chiesa
On the topic of valuations, the same report details that Liverpool have set their asking price for Chiesa this summer, a relatively modest one.
Aware of Chiesa’s situation, Liverpool would only demand €15m (£13m), a similar fee to the one the Reds paid Juventus almost one year ago.
In terms of interest in Chiesa, there’s plenty in Italy and both AS Roma and Atalanta seem to be at the front of the queue.
Interestingly, Atalanta are interested in Chiesa as a potential replacement for Ademola Lookman who might seek a new challenge this summer.
And with Liverpool looking to upgrade on the left side of their attack, Lookman would actually be a stellar addition.
27-year-old Lookman has improved dramatically since his last stint in the Premier League, a player who scored 15 goals in 31 Serie A matches from the wing last season.