Liverpool rocked by Fabrizio Romano bombshell with Klopp target now a ‘priority’ for Man City

Ryan Gravenberch, Sadio Mane, Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano of Bayern

Ryan Gravenberch, Sadio Mane, Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano celebrate Bayern goal

Manchester City could pile more misery on Jurgen Klopp after Fabrizio Romano outlined their interest in signing a Liverpool target first.

Klopp’s Liverpool have been unlucky to come up against Pep Guardiola’s City, who are one of the best teams of all time. On two occasions Liverpool have lost out on the Premier League title by one point after incredibly surpassing the 90-point mark.

And Liverpool look set to miss out on defender Josko Gvardiol to City, too. Klopp had earmarked the RB Leipzig star as his dream centre-back signing this summer. But Gvardiol could go to City instead as the two parties have already agreed personal terms.

Several outlets have reported that City are willing to spend a huge €100million (£85.6m) to sign Gvardiol, making him the most expensive defender of all time.

Gvardiol is not the only player who might snub Liverpool for City, as Romano has revealed the Citizens have burst into the race for Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard.

Pavard, who can play as a right-back or centre-half, was previously linked with Manchester United and Chelsea after revealing his desire to play in the Prem. His contract with Bayern expires in June 2024, too.

READ MORE: Liverpool hijack £100m Chelsea transfer to infuriate another Prem side with Henderson, Fabinho replacement plan

But Liverpool have recently pushed to sign Pavard. He is Klopp’s preferred target to improve his right-back options, in a move which would allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to step into midfield.

On Twitter, Romano has handed Liverpool a colossal setback by stating that Pavard is City’s ‘priority’ signing in case Kyle Walker goes in the other direction and joins Bayern. That comes after Walker reached a ‘full agreement’ ahead of a summer switch to the German champions.

Liverpool objective could head to Man City

Romano adds that City and Bayern will soon discuss both Walker and Pavard. It remains to be seen whether a player-plus-cash deal can be struck.

Pavard would be a brilliant signing for City. He is more comfortable on the ball than Walker and could therefore play in the hybrid midfield-defence role which John Stones has been operating in. The Frenchman, who helped Les Blues win the 2018 World Cup, would also be able to slot in at several other defensive positions depending on what formation Guardiola chooses.

Pavard also has the necessary big-name experience needed to become a success at City, having helped Bayern win a Champions League and four Bundesliga titles.

For Liverpool, meanwhile, missing out on Pavard would represent a big blow. Alexander-Arnold has shown he has the ability to shine in midfield and the Reds will have to keep searching for his replacement if Pavard goes to City. Plus, the arrivals of Gvardiol and Pavard could help City keep Liverpool at bay in future titles races.

Meanwhile, a Liverpool man might head to Wolves as part of a transfer merry-go-round this summer, as per a report.