Klopp liking for Lazio star revealed as Liverpool prepare dazzling offer

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, masked Lazio midfielder

Liverpool are reported to be ready to make contact with the agent of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic amid claims from Italy that the Lazio midfielder is Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 choice to replace Georginio Wijnaldum in the Reds midfield.

Wijnaldum has officially signed for Paris Saint-Germain after Mauricio Pochettino reportedly called the Dutch midfielder. Wijnaldum’s contract officially expires this month, but he confirmed last month he was leaving Anfield.

That leaves Jurgen Klopp needing to fill a big hole in his midfield. Wijnaldum made 34 starts in the Premier League, and even captained the side on numerous occasions towards the end of the season.

His goals (two) may be easy to replicate, but his steadying influence and hard work off the ball may be harder to find.

A number of big names have been touted with the Reds as they look to sign a replacement. As such, Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk provides an update on their reported pursuit of Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.

That comes after Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini was also mentioned as a target for Klopp. The Italy star has a £25.8m (€30m) release clause in his deal which Liverpool are more than capable of meeting.

However, according to Il Messaggero, Klopp is actually looking across the city at Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic. 

The Serbian will be a familar name to Premier League fans due to his lengthy links with Manchester United. During the Jose Mourinho tenure, Milinkovic-Savic was a top target for the Red Devils.

Once rated in the €120m bracket, Milinkovic-Savic has since seen his price fall in recent times.

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However, with still three years left on his deal, the 26-year-old could still command a fee of €60m-plus.

The Roman paper claims the midfielder – who had 17 goal involvements this season (eight goals, nine assists) – has a huge fan in Klopp.

And with the Reds looking to add more goals from midfield, they report Milinkovic-Savic could fit the bill.

The article claims Liverpool are preparing an approach to speak with his agent, the former Chelsea striker Matej Kezman. And if the player is open to the move, they claim a dazzling approach to secure his services could be made.

Liverpool told to sign Ivan Toney

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been inplored to make a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.

With the Reds seeking a replacement for out-of-favour Divock Origi, Peterborough chairman and Liverpool fan Darragh MacAnthony has advised them to move for the Bees forward.

Speaking on the ‘Hard Truth’ podcast (via the Liverpool Echo), MacAnthony said: “I’m a Liverpool fan and I know my players, and I’d be delighted if we signed Ivan. Give me him over (Divock) Origi any day of the week.

“Liverpool cross the ball with quality for fun and imagine Ivan getting on the end of those crosses from those full-backs!

“Obviously we’ve done well financially from Ivan’s transfer and we could do better down the line. But I don’t mind him staying at Brentford either as we get paid if they stay in the Premier League.

“Ivan is only 24/25 and not yet at the peak of his powers. I can see him scoring 15 goals for Brentford and I can see him playing for England next season.

“There’s no way Brentford will suffer relegation either. They have an outside chance of a top 12 finish in my opinion. Brentford have a good coach and they are a club who spend well. They now have around £200million to play with.”

READ MORE: Wijnaldum vows to spill Liverpool secrets after dropping exit bombshell