Liverpool are ready to make a £26m bid to sign Toulouse star Charlie Cresswell ahead of Chelsea this summer, according to Sports Boom.
The Reds have had a tricky season but have already begun their plans for the next campaign, completing a mega-money deal to sign defensive prospect Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for the summer as they look to strengthen their defence.
But with question marks over the long-term futures of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, Liverpool are also planning to make a move for another central defender in the summer window, and once again face competition from Chelsea.
Liverpool Ready Bid for Charlie Cresswell
Charlie Cresswell
Cresswell, who came through the academy at Leeds United, left for Toulouse two summers ago and has been a regular for the Ligue 1 side ever since, becoming a key part of their defensive unit.
His performances have attracted the attention of a number of clubs across Europe and in the Premier League, with several bids from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg rejected during the January window. It's also reported that both Crystal Palace and West Ham have had bids rejected for the 6ft 3 Englishman.
But Liverpool have now thrown their hat into the ring for his signature, and it's understood that the current Premier League champions are ready to make a £26m bid to convince the French side to let him leave.
Toulouse don't want to lose Cresswell but such a big fee may prove to be too hard to turn down, while it's understood that the player's preference will also be taken into account in the summer, when they would have more time to replace him if he left.
Cresswell is under contract until 2028 and has been tipped as a future England international.
Liverpool Need Defensive Reinforcements
Liverpool defender Ibrahima KonateREUTERS/David Klein
Individually, Liverpool have got some excellent defenders in their squad, but there are doubts about how long they will be around at Anfield.
Virgil Van Dijk is world-class but will be 35 by the time next season starts, while Konate's contract expires this summer and Gomez has been linked with a move away for more regular football.
Jacquet's arrival will help that issue, but the arrival of Cresswell alongside him would be excellent business and would help to raise the floor of the squad, while also ruining the plans of a direct rival once again.
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