Liverpool are targeting a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Koné and talks to take him to Anfield ‘are getting hot’.
That’s according to BILD journalist Christian Falk, who says the Reds have identified the midfielder as a cheap alternative to Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool had been in the race for Bellingham’s signature for more than a year and at one point appeared to be the favourites to sign him ahead of the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
However, that is no longer the case, with Bellingham instead on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu and that deal considered done at this point in time.
That’s left Liverpool scouring the market for alternatives as Jurgen Klopp is determined to completely overhaul his midfield this summer, with that area of the team proving to be a weak point this season.
Koné has been linked in recent weeks and a report today from Germany insisted that Liverpool were serious about a move for him.
Falk now backs that up, insisting that talks are heating up on a deal which could be worth around €30m in total.
“That’s true, Liverpool didn’t get Bellingham, who is going to Real Madrid, but they found an alternative in the Bundesliga that they like and that’s Manu Koné,” he said.
“We heard that the transfer negotiations are getting hot. The Gladbach midfielder has a contract until 2025 with a one-year option.
“The good thing for Liverpool is that he is much cheaper than Bellingham, they talk around €30m. So, it’s possible they don’t get Bellingham but another player from the Bundesliga.”
