Liverpool Transfer News LIVE updates: Barcelona agree Coutinho fee, Lemar breakthrough

Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Follow below for updates on the latest moves at Anfield

Wednesday August 30

Liverpool up Lemar bid

08:50: Liverpool will increase their bid for Monaco superstar Thomas Lemar today, reports claim.

The Reds have reportedly seen two separate offers rejected for the talented international worth £55.5million and £64.8m, but it’s believed today’s will be successful.

TribalFootball claim Jurgen Klopp’s side will submit a £75million offer today, and hope to conclude the deal before tomorrow’s deadline.

The suggestion from France is that Lemar would like to link up with manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. 

Newcastle still eyeing Origi

08:00: Newcastle are close to signing Chelsea talent Kenedy.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Rafa Benitez’s side will sign the 21-year-old on a season-long loan to bolster their attacking options.

The Toon are said to want another two players before tomorrow’s deadline with Divock Origi and Kevin Trapp on their radar.

Barca should sign Mane not Coutinho

05:15: Barcelona should be trying to sign Sadio Mane instead of Philippe Coutinho.

That’s according to Reds legend Ronnie Whelan, who believes Mane is now Liverpool’s main talisman.

“What is now crystal clear, and never more so than against the Gunners, is that Sadio Mane is the best player at Anfield and not Coutinho,” Whelan wrote in his column for the Irish Independent.

“I fully agree with Jamie Carragher’s comment that Barcelona should be chasing Mane and not the Brazilian. 

Divock Origi update

04:30: Inter Milan have reportedly entered the race to sign Liverpool striker Divock Origi.

Reports last week emerged indicating Tottenham were interested as cover for Harry Kane, with fears growing over the future over Vincent Janssen.

Express Sport understands Newcastle are weighing up a potential deal to replace Dwight Gayle.

And now according to Italian news outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Inter are exploring the possibility of taking Origi on loan.

The report suggests the 22-year-old would only be interested at this stage in a loan deal or loan with option to buy.

Oxlade-Chamberlain snubs Chelsea

03:30: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected Chelsea’s offer because he wants to join Liverpool.

That’s according to BBC Sport who claim the England international believes he would be deployed in the wing-back positions at Chelsea.

Part of the reason Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to leave Arsenal is to play more regularly in a central midfield role.

And it is claimed he has rejected Chelsea’s advances in the hope of signing for Liverpool.

Naby Keita deal backed

01:45: Jordan Henderson is relishing the chance to play alongside Naby Keita at Liverpool.

The Reds met Red Bull Leipzig star Keita’s £48million buy-out clause and paid an undisclosed premium on top to sign the midfielder on Monday.

Henderson has watched Keita’s progress from afar and he thinks the Merseyside outfit are getting a ‘top, top player’.

He said: “If you play for top teams you are going to sign good players.

“I have seen Naby play quite a few times and he looks a top, top player.”

Van Dijk and Lemar can join WITHOUT Coutinho leaving

00:10: Liverpool can bring in both Virgil van Dijk AND Thomas Lemar without having to sell Philippe Coutinho.

That’s according to Football Whispers who claim Liverpool still have the funds, despite completing a deal for Naby Keita yesterday.

While a fee was agreed in the region of £55million, the report says Liverpool only had to pay a nominal fee upfront, leaving funds available to sign both Van Dijk and Lemar.

Tuesday August 29

Coutinho fee agreed

19.50: Liverpool have reportedly agreed to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £148.5million (160m euros).

But an announcement has been delayed until Liverpool have brought in a replacement for the Brazilian.

That is according to Yahoo Sport and if true, would mark the end of lengthy chase by the Spanish side to sign Coutinho.

The deal would make him the second most expensive transfer of all time following Neymar’s move to Paris Saint Germain.

The report claims the 25-year-old was told by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group they had finally dropped their public insistence that he would not be sold.

£70m Van Dijk bid

18:10: Jurgen Klopp is ready to break the transfer record for a defender with £70m Virgil van Dijk bid

Van Dijk has not given up on his hope of leaving the St Mary’s and Klopp remains desperate to sign him, according to the Guardian.

The report claims Van Dijk prefers a move to Liverpool over Chelsea or Arsenal and the Anfield club believe Southampton’s resolve can be broken.

Van Dijk to Liverpool twist

16:30: Liverpool fans believe Virgil van Dijk is finally about to join the club after tracking a van from John Lennon airport.

A private jet is said to have arrived at John Lennon airport this afternoon and the people on the flight were picked up in Mercedes club van.

The van spotted today has the same registration number as vehicle which picked up Mohamed Salah and is supposedly on the way to Stanley Park.

Van Dijk hopeful of Liverpool deal… but Arsenal and Chelsea are circling

14:50: Virgil van Dijk remains optimistic of joining Liverpool before the transfer window shuts.

The Southampton defender is desperate to leave Saints and is not short of offers.

But Mauricio Pellegrino’s side are adamant he won’t be sold before Thursday’s 11pm deadline despite him being exiled from the Argentine’s training regime.

Liverpool remain long-term admirers of Van Dijk and are thought to be prepared to smash their club-record transfer fee to sign him.

And according to the Independent, Van Dijk believes he still has a chance of joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

However, Southampton are refusing to do business with the Reds after the Merseyside outfit were accused of making an illegal approach to sign him earlier in the transfer window.

With Liverpool and Southampton’s negotiations reaching a standstill, Arsenal and Chelsea are keen to take advantage.

No Can agreement

14:10: Juventus have rejected claims that they’ve agreed a deal for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.

Can has refused to sign a contract extension at Anfield with his deal due to expire in June 2018.

Recent reports have claimed that Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri wants to bring the Germany international to Turin, and has already secured an agreement with the player.

But Goal say this isn’t the case.

They claim Can is on their list of potential targets, but there’s no agreement in place.

Lemar wants switch

13:40: Liverpool target Thomas Lemar is keen on leaving Monaco and the French side will accept at the right price, according to reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

“They’ve made two bids for Thomas Lemar, both have been rejected by Monaco,” Solhekol said on Sky Sports.

“The second was a club-record £65million. Monaco under no pressure to sell, after all they are on course to raise over £300million from sales. 

“Monaco want him to say but we are told every player has his price. Lemar wants a move but he’s not kicking up a fuss.

“He played all 90 minutes as Monaco beat Marseille 6-1 on Sunday. He’s currently with the France squad just outside Paris.”

Liverpool make third Lemar bid

13:00: Liverpool have offered Monaco €80million (£74.4m) plus Divock Origi on loan in a bid to sign Monaco star Thomas Lemar.

French newspaper L’Equipe claim Liverpool have submitted an improved offer and are prepared to send Origi on loan.

Jurgen Klopp is desperate to bring the France international to Anfield and is running out of time to get a deal over the line.

Yesterday reports suggested Liverpool had tabled an offer of £66.6m to Monaco but the Ligue 1 champions swiftly rejected it.

But the Reds have now returned to the table with an improved offer with L’Equipe claiming they will offer £46.5m up front with the rest being paid next summer.

And the German is ready to let Origi leave for the season as he also doesn’t want to hinder his development as a player.

Keita No.8

12:45: Naby Keita will be handed Steven Gerrard’s iconic number eight shirt after completing his move to Liverpool.

The Reds announced the signing of the 22-year-old on their website this morning, confirming the Guinea international would move to Anfield in time for next season.

Keita currently wears the No.8 shirt at RB Leipzig and will wear it again at Anfield next season. The number is currently unoccupied at Liverpool.

Liverpool to pay whatever it takes for VVD

12:30: Liverpool will reportedly pay whatever it takes to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds are said to still be keen on signing the 26-year-old though, with The Telegraph claiming they are willing to spend pay whatever it takes to land him before the window shuts.

Liverpool today announced the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, who will arrive at Anfield next summer.

The £48m move broke Liverpool’s transfer record for a second time this summer, following the £37m deal for Mohamed Salah last month.

And The Telegraph add that Jurgen Klopp’s side are prepared to break their transfer record for a third time by spending £70m on Van Dijk.

Reds book hat-trick of medicals

12:10: Liverpool have booked in three medicals today.

At least those are the claims circulating on Twitter as Reds fans continue to scour the internet looking for any transfer updates.

This morning, Liverpool have already confirmed an agreement with RB Leipzig for Naby Keita to join the club next summer.

But could the Reds be about to wrap up some more deals before the transfer window shuts on Thursday evening?

Well, lifelong Liverpool fan and retired boxer Derry Mathews got Liverpool fans in a frenzy with his tweet last night.

The 33-year-old tweeted a screenshot showing an alleged email from a doctor at Spire Liverpool Hospital with the caption: “Goodnight everyone thank me tomorrow #Lfc.” 

The email contained the following information apparently from Dr. Suhail Ahmed: “Yes I can confirm that there are 3 medicals booked in by Liverpool Football Club tomorrow.

“However, I am not at liberty to discuss anymore on this matter.”

Palace want Sakho back

11:55: Crystal Palace are desperate to bring Mamadou Sakho back to Selhurst Park before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The 27-year-old France defender enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Eagles last season, but Liverpool’s £30million valuation proved a major obstacle for the London club.

However, Palace are now prepared to meet the asking-price to remedy their defensive woes after three successive Premier League defeats under new manager Frank de Boer.

Leicester and West Brom are also interested in him.

Neymar warns Coutinho

11:10: Neymar has reportedly urged Philippe Coutinho to stay at Liverpool and reject a move to Barcelona.

Neymar only left the Nou Camp this summer in a deal worth £200m to take him to Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old completed a move from Santos to Barca in 2013 and set the world alight with his displays as he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League during his time in Spain.

But surprisingly he feels Coutinho should stay at Liverpool.

Brazilian publication Estadao claim Neymar has told Coutinho he won’t regret Liverpool’s decision of keeping him away from Barca.

Swansea eye Sanches

10:35: Swansea have joined the battle to sign Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches.

Paul Clement is desperate to sign a creative midfielder capable of replacing Gylfi Sigurdsson, who joined Everton in a club-record deal.

And The Mirror claim Swansea have identified Sanches as the ideal player.

The Portugal international, who’s been linked with Premier League duo Liverpool and Chelsea, has struggled to establish himself at Bayern Munich and is considered surplus to requirements.

Marseille bid for Origi

09:55: Marseille have made an approach for Liverpool forward Divock Origi, according to L’Equipe.

The Belgian international has played just nine minutes of Premier League football this season, and appears surplus to requirements under Jurgen Klopp.

The report claims boss Rudi Garcia has asked management to sign Origi, although it’s unclear whether Marseille have requested a season-long loan deal or permanent transfer.

Origi, 22, is supposedly concerned about missing out on Belgium’s World Cup squad and would like to leave Anfield to secure regular first-team football.

Monaco to accept Lemar bid

09:00: Monaco are prepared to accept Liverpool’s latest offer for Thomas Lemar today, reports claim.

The Reds have reportedly seen two separate offers rejected for the talented international worth £55.5million and £64.8m, but it’s believed the third will be successful.

Monaco ruled out selling Lemar, 21, because of seemingly impending departure of Kylian Mbappe to Paris St-Germain. 

But French website Le10Sport claim Monaco are ready to accept a £66.8million deal that could be completed before Thursday’s deadline.

Coutinho tells friends he’s leaving

08:45: Philippe Coutinho has told his fiends that he expects to complete a move to Barcelona before Thursday’s deadline.

The club remain adamant Coutinho will stay for the foreseeable future after dismissing three bids from the Catalan giants.

But Coutinho thinks differently.

Spanish publication Sport claim Coutinho is confident of Barcelona striking a fee with Liverpool while he’s away on international duty, and that he doesn’t expect to return to Merseyside.

Done Deal: Liverpool confirm Keita signing

08:30: Liverpool have confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

The Reds have agreed a deal worth £48million that will see the 22-year-old move to Anfield on July 1, 2018.

“I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will allow me to join Liverpool Football Club next summer, when I will become part of a project that excites me greatly,” Keita told the club’s official website.

“My commitment to RBL remains absolute for the remainder of my time at the club. I have given my all every time I have worn the shirt – that will be the case until the final whistle, in my final appearance.

“Having my future resolved means I can now focus on helping RBL achieve great things this season. Until I join my new club, next summer, I will remain an interested supporter from a distance.”