Liverpool receive double setback over Timo Werner and Naby Keita as Jurgen Klopp targets seven new signings

The Reds remain in the hunt for Virgil van Dijk but there is still work to be done on what would be a club-record deal

Jack Austin
Tuesday 06 June 2017 12:27 BST
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Liverpool have received a double disappointment as Jurgen Klopp attempts to bring seven new faces into Anfield this summer.

RB Leipzig duo Naby Keita and Timo Werner are targets for the German after impressive seasons in the Bundesliga which saw the club finish shock runners-up and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

Klopp is desperate to bolster his midfield with Keita one of his top targets this summer, but the German side are reluctant to sell after only signing him from their sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer.

As for Werner, only three strikers scored more times than his 21 strikes over the course of the Bundesliga season and Klopp is desperate to bring in a natural goalscorer to help deal with Champions League football.

However, the club’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick has made it clear that he will not sanction any of their stars to leave this summer and they do not need the money to cash in on their success.

“We're not thinking about selling our best players this summer,” Rangnick told Bild.

“There's no red line for us. We will keep our team and improve it in several positions.”

Liverpool remain in the hunt for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk but there is still work to be done on what would be a club-record deal.

The Dutchman is Klopp’s number one target this summer and the Reds hope the draw of the German boss will help them see off stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea to land him in what would represent a huge coup for both manager and club.

Formal negotiations between the clubs are yet to begin but the Saints are understood to be looking for in excess of £50million, a figure which would comfortably surpass the £35m the Reds paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.

However, things could be complicated by Southampton reporting the Reds to the Premier League over an ‘illegal approach’ for the defender.

Mohamed Salah is another player expected to arrive on Merseyside this summer, with the Reds looking to bring him in for £35m.

Personal terms are understood to have been agreed between club and player with only the fine details of the transfer fee left to be completed.

Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke already set to arrive at the end of his contract, while Hull's Andrew Robertson and Fulham full-back Ryan Sessegnon are still on their radar.

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