Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ousmane Dembele and Kostas Manolas

Liverpool will reportedly rival Barcelona in any pursuit of Borussia Dortmund starlet Ousmane Dembele.

According to Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday Mirror, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to add to his squad with two youthful signings in the summer window. Dembele, who only joined Dortmund from Stade Rennais last summer, is said to be one target.

As Hopkinson noted, Barcelona have been tipped as suitors for the youngster. Here's a look at why the 19-year-old is so highly rated:

When Dortmund landed Dembele, it was deemed as something of a coup, even for a club of their stature. At Westfalenstadion he's showcased his talent, leaving defenders in a daze with his searing pace and close control. Crucially, his decision-making is mature for a player so young.

As these numbers from Squawka Football illustrate, Dembele has been thrilling to watch in the Bundesliga this season:

For Liverpool, it'd be an equally big success if they signed the youngster. Stylistically, the winger would be a brilliant fit for Klopp's setup and another option to provide thrust from the flanks aside from Sadio Mane.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

But you sense that if BVB were to sell Dembele, it'd be to one of the juggernauts of the European game, like Barcelona. As relayed by football writer Lars Pollmann, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc recently admitted the Frenchman may head to the Camp Nou one day:

Given this is his first season at Dortmund, it'd be a big surprise if Dembele were on the move again in the summer, especially when his development is going so well under manager Thomas Tuchel.

The German outfit play some thrilling attacking football, and Dembele is central to that. It means any admirers would have to splash out an enormous amount to bring him in. Liverpool, as such, may find it difficult to seal a deal.

Kostas Manolas Linked

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

According to Steve Bates of the Sunday People (h/t the Mirror), Klopp has asked one of his top scouts to keep tabs on AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas with a view to a summer move.

In the report it's suggested the Giallorossi value Manolas at around £35 million, with Manchester United and Arsenal also said to be interested in the Greece international. The Gunners had a bid rejected for the player last summer, according to his agent, John Evangelopoulos, who spoke to Sport FM (h/t Jack Rathborn of the Mirror), but any acquisition may be more straightforward in the coming window.

As Rathborn reported:

"

It's believed it was rejected because there was still a 50 per cent sell-on clause in force guaranteeing the defender's former club, Athens-based Olympiakos, half of any fee Roma took for the highly-rated star. That clause has now expired, though, and Liverpool are in the race to sign the Greece international this summer.

"

Liverpool reportedly had representatives in attendance for Roma's Europa League showdown with Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday. Per WhoScored.com, Manolas shone:

Manolas has emerged as one of the most impressive defenders in Serie A during his time at the Stadio Olimpico. The 25-year-old reads the game expertly and has showcased the kind of aerial dominance that suggests he'd be a big hit in English football.

Liverpool need a centre-back, with the team looking unsteady in defence when Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are not paired together. Manolas would be a costly acquisition, but he is the kind of player who could make a massive impact at Anfield.