Liverpool gunning for ex-Man Utd man to replace star who’s ‘ready to go’, as Klopp cites ‘extraordinary offer’

A former Man Utd star is high on the transfer wishlist at Liverpool, though a move would only be made if Jurgen Klopp reluctantly waves goodbye to a player who wants out, per reports.

It’s shaping up to be a busy summer transfer window at Anfield, with Alexis Mac Allister on the verge of becoming signing number one.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier on Wednesday Liverpool had activated a clause in Mac Allister’s contract. Despite rampant speculation the final figure is somewhere between £45m-£70m, the fee Liverpool will pay is a remarkably modest £35m.

Talks are underway over the signing of French pair Khephren Thuram (Nice) and Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach). However, the new arrivals won’t all come in midfield.

Indeed, a new centre-half and back-up right-back are wanted. Elsewhere, a back-up to Alisson Becker will be required if Caoimhin Kelleher leaves in search of regular first-team football.

The Republic of Ireland international, 24, has never let Liverpool down when playing. However, the presence of Alisson means he’ll never be the No 1 at Anfield.

Kelleher’s national team boss, Stephen Kenny, recently claimed Kelleher is “ready” to leave Liverpool and a summer exit is fully expected. To that end, Tottenham and Brighton have drawn early links with Kelleher.

Klopp stressed he’d only let Kelleher leave if an “extraordinary bid” is lodged. However, if the player makes it clear he wants out, Liverpool would be reluctant to stand in his way and stunt his development.

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed 36-year-old Adrian will sign a one-year extension that’ll commit his future until the end of next season. With a third-choice stopper under wraps and Alisson in situ, a second-choice is on the menu if Kelleher departs.

Liverpool turn to former Man Utd stopper

On that front, German outlet BILD bring news of Liverpool chasing former Man Utd keeper, Ron-Robert Zieler.

The nine-cap Germany international was on Man Utd’s books between 2005-10, though never debuted for the club.

The bulk of his career since leaving has been spent at Hannover over two separate spells. Ironically enough, the sporting director who brought Zieler to Hannover in 2010 was Jorg Schmadtke who is now pulling the strings at Liverpool.

BILD report Zieler is ‘high on Liverpool’s wishlist’, while Schmadtke has reportedly told the Reds he can secure the deal.

Liverpool have not officially bid for the Hannover stopper yet and BILD actually suggest Zieler wouldn’t mind remaining in Germany.

However, Hannover might make the decision for him and the prospect of a seven-figure bid for a 34-year-old with one year left on his contract would be too good to ignore.

A bid of around £1m might not sound all that high, though it’s important to note Hannover are in the second tier of German football and have been since 2019.

Zieler is the veteran of over 400 career starts and briefly played in the Premier League in the past with Leicester City in the 2016/17 campaign.

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