Liverpool Transfer News: Raphael Guerreiro, Reece Oxford, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly made a bid for Lorient left-back Raphael Guerreiro, but they will be in competition for the Portuguese star's signature with Borussia Dortmund and at least two other clubs, according to the Ligue 1 outfit's vice-president, Alex Hayes.

According to Hayes, Lorient will hold out for a significant offer if they are to move the talented 22-year-old on as they have no financial need to sell him, per French outlet Ouest-France (via the Guardian):

"

For the moment four major foreign clubs, including Dortmund and Liverpool, have made an offer.

No one wants to see Raphael leave, especially the president. He will only be transferred if a club makes an offer that we can’t refuse.

The fourth one shouldn’t take too long to be made [officially] but for the moment none of them satisfy us. We’re calm. We don’t need to sell to balance the books.

"

The Guardian's report indicated a bid of around £10 million will likely be necessary to persuade Lorient to sell as Guerreiro has only one year remaining on his current contract.

That is more than affordable for a club like Liverpool, and the Reds are in desperate need of further depth and quality at left-back after Alberto Moreno proved in the UEFA Europa League final that he is far from reliable in the position, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Guerreiro is an intelligent reader of the game and is also a major threat going forward down the left flank.

Per WhoScored.com, he made 34 Ligue 1 appearances last term, scoring three goals and assisting two, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would likely relish the opportunity to mentor a player of such potential.

It does seem, though, like Liverpool will have a battle on their hands for Guerreiro, and Dortmund have the advantage of being able to offer him UEFA Champions League football next season.

Meanwhile, the Reds have reportedly also "joined the race" for West Ham United's young star Reece Oxford, who is also a target for both Manchester City and Manchester United.

Per Simon Mullock in the Mirror, Liverpool attempted to sign the 17-year-old last summer and have now returned for him "after being made aware that Oxford is available for around £10 million."

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He is currently in "a stand-off over a new three-year contract" with the Hammers after making demands for £40,000-a-week wages, hence why he has been made available, per Andrew Dillon in the Sun.

In the long term, the Englishman could be a brilliant addition to the Liverpool squad if he makes good on his potential, as he can play as both a centre-back and a defensive midfielder.

Klopp looks set to do a major overhaul of his defence over the summer and has already signed Schalke's Joel Matip, while Martin Skrtel looks set to depart the club.

According to Skrtel's agent, Karol Csonto, the 31-year-old wants to leave Anfield having lost his starting spot, and Besiktas are reportedly interested, per Slovakia's TV Markiza (via the Mirror's David Anderson):

"

Besiktas is one of those interested in Martin, but we haven't reached a point where I can confirm Martin is going there, or anywhere else. But I can say that it is 90 per cent sure Martin will leave Liverpool, but it is far from closed.

"

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Though Skrtel has been a great servant for the Anfield club since he arrived in 2008, he is no longer good enough to be a starter in Klopp's back four.

Conversely, Oxford could become a top centre-back, and moving Skrtel out to bring the young Englishman in would make a lot of sense as the Reds' German manager builds for the future.