Liverpool cool interest in £90m Premier League star as Klopp eyes alternative midfield duo

Liverpool are said to have cooled their interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as Jurgen Klopp considers alternative targets.

The Reds are keen to add to their midfield options between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have already signed the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo, but Klopp is still keen to add some more depth to this department.

Having lost both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to clubs in Saudi, it is understandable that they are still on the hunt for an extra holding midfielder.

Palhinha has been on Liverpool’s radar for quite some time, but the latest reports have claimed they could step away from this deal.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool’s interest in the midfielder has ‘stalled’ as they believe Fulham are trying to price them out of a move by valuing the 28-year-old at £90m.

Fulham spent just £20m on the Portuguese star last year, but his transfer value has grown exponentially since then.

The 28-year-old had an excellent debut season in the Premier League, but Liverpool aren’t seemingly willing to match Fulham’s lofty asking price at this stage.

Palhinha has been subject to plenty of interest from clubs around Europe this season, but Fulham are holding firm on their valuation for the time being.

He is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2027, with the club holding the option of extending his deal by an extra year.

Liverpool have other targets in mind

While a move for Palhinha seems unlikely at this stage for Liverpool, they do have a number of alternative targets in mind.

Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure is fancied by Klopp, although Liverpool have been told he will cost around £70m.

The 23-year-old had an excellent season for Crystal Palace last season and would make for a good addition into Klopp’s side.

He would be a younger alternative to someone like Palhinha, although time will tell if Liverpool are willing to spend around £70m on him.

Having only joined Crystal Palace last summer, Doucoure is on a long-term deal which runs until the summer of 2027.

Another player still being considered by Liverpool is Bayern Munich star Ryan Gravenberch as the Dutch midfielder is looking for a way out of the German club.

Fabrizio Romano recently clarified that while Gravenberch is keen on a Premier League move, Bayern are reluctant to sell him at this point.

“The big problem with Gravenberch is Bayern,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “They want to keep Gravenberch, they don’t want to sell him. But in the last two, three days, Gravenberch is insisting to consider some possibilities in the Premier League.

“Liverpool called to be informed on the situation exactly as they did for [Sofyan] Amrabat, but they never submitted a bid.

“So let’s see if they will decide to enter the race with an official proposal or not. But at the moment, nothing advanced yet.”

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