Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Target Lyon Defender Jordy Gaspar, Top Rumours

Liverpool intend to revive their interest in Lyon teenager Jordy Gaspar, as manager Jurgen Klopp searches for long-term solutions in defence.

French football programme Telefoot (h/t Joe Rimmer of Liverpool Echo) reported the Reds are back in the hunt for the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Dipesh Agarwal of Sport Witness) reported the Reds' interest in Gaspar last summer as Klopp hunted for reinforcements. 

According to Rimmer, AC Milan will challenge Liverpool for the player's signature, but Fiorentina and Bayer Leverkusen also covet his talents.

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Gaspar is also a capable wing-back and can operate on the right or the left. Klopp has watched his defence crumble at times this season despite a strong run in the Premier League, and it is clear he needs to diversify his options in the next transfer window.

The German currently has Nathaniel Clyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold as his primary options at right-back, but Alberto Moreno has failed to make an impression at left-back since his move from Sevilla in 2014.

Gaspar remains an inexperienced prospect having played just twice for Lyon in Ligue 1 this term, according to WhoScored.com. However, he has made his debut in the UEFA Champions League this season as he continues his development.

Here is the starlet in action:

Klopp is also keeping tabs of Fulham's outstanding prospect Ryan Sessegnon, who has made a huge impact for the west London side.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reported Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also watching the 16-year-old left-back, but the Anfield giants "retain an interest."

Sessegnon has already proved he is more than just a full-back, and he has an eye for goal, having scored four times in the EFL Championship in 17 appearances, per Squawka.com.

Glenn Price of ESPN FC recently confirmed Liverpool have not secured Sessegnon's future services:

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic recently sang the praises of the prodigy, per Pearce:

"I can only tell him that he will improve if he works and stays with us. This is how I will try to convince him to stay with the club," said Jokanovic. "I am enjoying the opportunity to work with and use him in my squad. I hope for a long time, but in this business, you never know what is going to happen."

Gaspar and Sessegnon are the type of prodigal talents Liverpool need to monitor, but Klopp needs immediate quality and experience to challenge for the league and Europe.

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Clyne has failed to consistently impress at right-back, but the manager cannot replace him with a young talent who will need a couple of years to acclimatise.

Liverpool didn't buy well in the last two transfer windows, and the responsibility belongs to Klopp to rectify this.

The Reds should continue to entice youngsters to Merseyside, but Liverpool demand success in the present, not only the future.