Liverpool transfer news: Fabrizio Romano reveals four Reds plans to combat Haaland, Man City deal

Jurgen Klopp has claimed Erling Haaland will take Man City to “new levels”, and how Liverpool will respond has been detailed by Fabrizio Romano.

The Norwegian hitman looks certain to be gracing the Premier League next season. City have reached an agreement to trigger his £51.4m release clause. That – along with his reported £375,000-a-week salary – is well below the figures that had made the rounds across the media for some time.

On the face of it, City are getting a bargain for a player who has operated at a goal-per-game over the last three years. That could be a troubling prospect for Liverpool who are poised to finish runners-up to Man City in the league once again.

One might expect the Reds to respond in kind with a huge deal of their own. And according to Fabrizio Romano, that’s exactly what they might do.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, the trusted journalist detailed four plans they have in place.

Firstly, Romano noted Liverpool will not budge from their overarching approach to the market. In other words, they will continue to target ‘smart deals’ the likes of which brought Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz to Anfield.

Their plan in that regard won’t change, though they may have to pay above and beyond to sign Aurelien Tchouameni.

Romano confirmed the Monaco midfield destroyer is a target of the Reds and that contact with his agent has been made.

Liverpool gunning for ‘important’ midfielder

The 22-year-old is capable of operating anywhere across a midfield three and could ease the burden on Fabinho in the holding role.

It’s reportedly Liverpool’s ‘intention’ to sign a new ‘important’ midfielder. Tchouameni fits that bill, though competition will be fierce. As such, he would likely command a fee of around £60m, according to Spanish outlet AS.

The third plan of action is to resolve Mohamed Salah’s contract saga. The Egyptian will enter the final year of his deal next season and Romano noted negotiations are currently on stand-by.

Liverpool will make it their priority to ‘clarify the situation’.

Finally, the Reds will announce their own new signing in the coming days. A deal to sign Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho has long been rumoured to have been agreed and an ‘official announcement’ will come shortly.

The attacking midfielder will set the Reds back £5m with a further £2.7m earmarked for add-ons.

Romano concluded the current plan is to give him a chance to impress in the first-team next year, as opposed to a quick loan exit.

Should Liverpool do more to offset Haaland coup?

Certain sections of the fanbase may wish to see a blockbuster arrival to offset the Haaland news. However, Liverpool haven’t got to the position they’re in now by reacting to those around them.

Transfer chief Michael Edwards will give way to understudy Julian Ward this summer. Ward played a pivotal role in signing Diaz in January and the Reds appear to be in good hands in that regard.

Pinning Salah down to fresh terms is their top priority according to Romano. In our view, that is the correct call with retaining Salah far more important than signing a direct replacement, for example.

Salah has come in for criticism since returning from AFCON, though it’s important to note he played seven matches in a short space of time including four that went to extra time or penalties with Egypt.

Yet despite Salah’s late-season struggles, he remains both Liverpool’s top scorer and top assister this year. Re-signing him, above all else, is the best way Liverpool can combat the Haaland news.