Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Michael Keane and Jose Gimenez

Liverpool have reportedly "hardened" their interest in Burnley centre-back Michael Keane and are set to rival Manchester United for the signature of Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez.

According to MailOnline's Laurie Whitwell, the Reds' interest in Keane has become more concrete of late and the Clarets "are resigned to losing" him in the summer.

The 24-year-old will be in the final year of his deal at Turf Moor next season, though Burnley "are determined to hold out for the highest fee, which is expected to push the price to more than £20 million."

Meanwhile, the Mirror's Adrian Kajumba reported both Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and United counterpart Jose Mourinho are interested in Gimenez, and both sides hope to sign him without having to meet his £39 million release clause.

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Liverpool are in dire need of defensive reinforcements this summer if they're to sustain a title challenge in the Premier League next season.

The Reds have shipped 36 league goals this term, the highest of any team in the top seven, and they're on course to finish the season having conceded more goals than matches played for the seventh year running.

Keane has had an outstanding campaign with Burnley and his form earned him his first England cap on Wednesday.

Former England strikers Gary Lineker and Andrew Cole were among those to give him plaudits on his display against Germany:

As Squawka Football demonstrated, Keane is a real force to be reckoned with in the air:

Meanwhile, an injury cost Gimenez his place in Atletico's team this season, and with Diego Godin and Stefan Savic proving to be a formidable partnership in his absence, he has been restricted to a back-up role upon returning to fitness.

However, the 22-year-old is an outstanding prospect, and last year he was a key performer for Atleti as they conceded just 18 goals in La Liga. He also already has 30 caps for Uruguay under his belt as well as 16 UEFA Champions League appearances.

Here's a look at his and Keane's numbers this year, courtesy of Squawka:

	Keane	Gimenez
Competitions	Premier League	La Liga/UCL
Apps	29	13
Minutes	2,610	935
Tackles	18	21
Aerial Duels	108	34
Interceptions	57	29
Blocks	37	5
Clearances	216	69

Either player would be a strong candidate to improve the spine of Liverpool's team and form a centre-back partnership with Joel Matip at Anfield, and both—Gimenez in particular—have the potential to grow even further.

Improving their defence is crucial for Liverpool this summer, and signing Keane or Gimenez would be a strong step in the right direction.