Liverpool Transfer News: Douglas Costa Interest Reported, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich this summer. 

According to SportBild (h/t sports journalist Alex Chaffer), Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is a long-term fan of the winger: 

Costa joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2015 and has been impressive on the flanks for the German giants.

According to Chaffer, the report also noted that both Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur hold an interest in signing the Brazilian winger. As we can see here, when he's in full flight, Costa is one of the most exhilarating players to watch in world football:

In his debut term at the Allianz Arena, Costa was sensational. Under Pep Guardiola, he was tasked with maintaining width, committing full-backs and offering some stern competition to veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

For much of the season, he did so, meaning Costa was ahead of the illustrious pair in the pecking order at times. However, under Carlo Ancelotti this season, the Brazilian has been usurped by Ribery and Robben and relegated to the role of an impact substitute in the biggest games.

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Kieran Canning of Agence France-Presse believes Costa may have been a little unlucky to miss out in some matches, though:

At Liverpool, he'd surely be privy to more minutes, having started just 13 times in the Bundesliga this season.

The Reds haven't looked the same side without Sadio Mane involved, with the Senegalese able to provide a thrust from the flanks that nobody else in the squad can. 

When he's in form, Costa brings a similar input, and the prospect of him linking with Mane would be a tantalising one for Liverpool supporters. Spurs and Juventus would represent very tempting options for the 26-year-old, too, though.

Reds in Michael Keane Battle

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According to Rob Dawson of ESPN FC, Liverpool will provide the stiffest competition to Manchester United in the race to sign Burnley defender Michael Keane.

Keane has enjoyed an excellent campaign for the Clarets, impressing alongside Ben Mee at the heart of the back four. With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, he looks poised to make a summer switch, with the Red Devils—his former club—and Liverpool said to be at the front of the queue.

"Sources have told ESPN FC that Keane will have to be convinced to return to the club he joined as a schoolboy after being left unhappy with the way his departure was handled by former boss Louis van Gaal," said Dawson. "It has given Liverpool the upper hand in a transfer battle that could yet include Manchester City and Everton."

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Centre-back is definitely a position Liverpool need to improve, with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan yet to completely convince. Football writer Jack Lusby is particularly concerned about the former:

Keane may be an improvement on the trio aforementioned, although playing for an elite side brings about different challenges. Not only will there be a pressure to perform, but the 24-year-old will be more exposed and tasked with handling more one-on-one battles. At Burnley, he's well-protected in a cohesive side.

That's not to say the England man wouldn't be able to cope in such circumstances, rather that if the Reds want an immediate fix at centre-back playing in their current enterprising style, he may not be it yet.

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