Liverpool Transfer News: Top Rumours, Latest Signings Wanted by Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool have reportedly approached the representatives of Monaco starlet Thomas Lemar about a potential summer deal. 

According to L’Equipe (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star), the Reds, as well as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, are all interested in the 20-year-old midfielder, who has been sensational in Ligue 1 this term.

It’s also noted Monaco are seeking a fee comparable to the one they received from the sale of Anthony Martial to Manchester United in the summer for Lemar. The forward moved to Old Trafford for an initial fee of £36 million, although it could rise to a whopping £58 million.

Lemar is another youngster who is impressing with the principality club having signed from Caen last summer. Here are some of his standout moments from the season so far:

While not a household name yet for followers of European football, it certainly won’t be long before the Monaco man is being talked about as one of the finest young talents in the game.

This season, manager Leonardo Jardim has used the youngster in a variety of different positions, most prominently from the left flank and off a centre-forward. It’s given Lemar licence to go and influence matches high up the pitch, with his technical flair, power in possession and rasping left foot keeping defenders on edge.

As WhoScored.com noted here, despite his tender years, already there are signs the midfielder enjoys the big stage:

A fee anywhere near what United paid for Martial would surely put the Reds or any other team off. But there’s little doubt that if the French youth international can continue to preserve these standards, some elite names will be willing to part with some significant money to get him on board.

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The Reds seem like an ideal fit for the player, as manager Jurgen Klopp is seeking to build a squad of hungry, industrious and talented footballers.

Daniel Sturridge Discusses Future

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Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has conceded he is likely to leave the club in the future and has warned Klopp he will not be content with a place on the bench at Anfield.

After finally getting fit, Sturridge found himself behind Divock Origi in the pecking order up front, and even with the Belgian injured, he didn’t start against Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday. 

"Maybe people don't see this, but I am someone who wants to play every minute of every match, so maybe when I'm not starting or when I'm taken off, it's hard to take," said the forward, per Sky Sports. "You want to be on the pitch every single match, every single minute."

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher disagreed with the decision to leave the England international out of the starting lineup for the game:

Sturridge also spoke candidly about his future, insisting he accepts there will come a day when he moves on.

"I would never say I am Liverpool until I die, because I would be lying," the former Chelsea man said. "I think any player who says, 'Oh yeah, this is the only team I will play for, for the rest of my life', they are deluded. In football, every team looks for replacements every single year."

There have been recent reports linking the striker with a move away from Merseyside, with Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline reporting that Paris Saint-Germain scouts have been keeping tabs on the striker.

As Squawka Football note here, when he’s on the field, he typically finds the back of the net:

Liverpool have previously been so heavily reliant on Sturridge that if he’s fit, he plays. However, with the striker in the best shape he has been in for a long time, now he has genuine competition. Klopp will be hoping that will draw the best out of the 26-year-old.

It would be a huge surprise if Sturridge’s tenure with Liverpool was to end this summer, especially given the manner in which he’s been able to rediscover his fitness as of late.