Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool source ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Klopp favourite is sold this summer; likeliest midfield signing named

Liverpool defenders Andy Robertson, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk

Speculation is growing Liverpool could sell one of Jurgen Klopp’s most trusted lieutenants this summer, while a Reds reporter has named the club’s likeliest midfield signing.

A huge summer is expected at Anfield, with who’ll leave almost as intriguing as who’ll arrive. The bulk of new signings are expected to come in midfield. At least two and possibly three in the engine room are on the cards, according to Fabrizio Romano.

However, given around a dozen current stars will either leave or are heavily rumoured to be on the chopping block, additions could come in other positions too.

One such area of Klopp’s squad where a new face might be required is centre-half. Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips and Reds veteran Joel Matip have all been linked with leaving.

Goal previously claimed there’s ‘growing whispers’ Matip, 31, could be axed. The defender’s levels have dipped dramatically this term and Ibrahima Konate is now firmly established as Virgil van Dijk’s primary partner at the back.

What’s more, Matip is out of contract at the end of next season. If Liverpool don’t intend to offer a new deal, a summer sale in a few months’ time would make sense.

Transfer guru Romano recently urged caution when addressing rumours of a Matip sale. His reasoning stemmed form the fact Matip is still highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp.

However, according to the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle, a Matip sale should not come as a surprise if greenlit.

Writing in a Q&A when asked about Liverpool’s centre-half plans, Doyle replied: “I think Nat Phillips will leave in the summer and wouldn’t be surprised if Joel Matip departs, so a new centre-back is being assessed, yes.”

A valuation of between £10m-£15m has been cited for a player who’ll be 32 by the beginning of next season. Serie A giant Inter Milan are understood to be in the frame and are seeking a replacement for the PSG-bound Milan Skriniar.

Likeliest midfield addition comes from Chelsea

Elsewhere, Doyle was asked who is likeliest to join Liverpool out of the numerous midfielders linked since pulling the plug on their Jude Bellingham pursuit.

The Liverpool reporter named a deal for Chelsea’s Mason Mount as “the most likely”, before confirming the Reds are “chasing” his signature.

Mount’s Chelsea deal is up in the summer of 2024. Given their impending need to trim their squad and balance the books, the Blues will refuse to let any players enter the final year of their contracts moving forward. Doing so would leave them open to losing highly saleable assets to free agency.

As such, if a contract breakthrough isn’t forged over the coming months, Chelsea will reluctantly give the greenlight to a Mount sale.

The Daily Mail claimed Chelsea will demand a £70m transfer fee for their two-time and reigning player of the year.

READ MORE: Liverpool ‘poised’ to save £130m by signing self-confessed Reds fan over Bellingham this summer