Liverpool transfers: Klopp to hijack £43m Man Utd move as Anfield icon reveals Virgil van Dijk demand

Jurrien Timber of Ajax, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League, Group A football match between Ajax and Liverpool on October 26, 2022 at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Liverpool are reportedly now leading the race to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax this summer with the player being peruaded to choose a move to Merseyside over Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are looking to make several signings after an underwhelming season at Anfield. Indeed, they will finish the season without a trophy and a late season charge might not be enough to secure a Champions League place either. As it stands, the Reds are currently fifth, though can close within a point of United with a win at Leicester on Monday night.

However, for a side who fell just a few games short of the Quadruple last season, their fall from grace has been fairly alarming. Nonetheless, there is a theory that a few key signings this summer can rocket Liverpool right back into trophy contention again next season.

To that end, Klopp will be planning quite a few key arrivals in his midfield department this summer. Indeed, with James Milner, Naby Keita, Arthur Melo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing, Liverpool have an obvious need to strengthen.

Thankfully, a £120m double deal is already in the works at Anfield with two Premier League stars seemingly set to sign.

Klopp, though, will not stop there and reportedly has eyes on a minimum of three new additions for his engine room.

The identity of third player will perhaps keep us guessing for some time yet. However, reports are growing that Liverpool will also go all out to sign Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella too.

While a new-look Liverpool midfield will be a feature next season, Klopp is also looking to make a key addition to his defence too.

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Liverpool keen on Jurrien Timber move

And with Joel Matip potentially on his way, Klopp is on the lookout for another option at centre-half.

To that end, the likes of Josko Gvardiol, Evan Ndicka and Giorgio Scalvini are all reportedly on the Reds’ radar.

However, they are also strongly rumoured to be considering Ajax star Timber.

And the fact that Timber can also cover at right-back – especially in light of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent positional change – makes him a hugely-attractive prospect.

Rated at £43.5m (€50m), Timber will not come cheap.

Indeed, he is being strongly linked with a move to Man Utd this summer, where his former boss Erik ten Hag is in charge.

But it now seems that Liverpool are nudging ahead of them in the transfer race. And the prospects of a Liverpool transfer hijack are being propelled amid claims that Virgil van Dijk is also endorsing the move.

He knows the defender well from his time in the Netherlands squad. And according to John Barnes, Van Dijk is imploring Klopp to push through his signing.

“Of course, I know that he played together with Van Dijk in the Dutch national team and according to the latest rumours Van Dijk has told him that he has to go to Anfield,” Barnes said.

“He is a good player and would therefore be a good asset to Liverpool. Virgil is already over 30 and he will not stay with the club forever. So in the long term, it’s not just about coming to the Reds to form a duo with Van Dijk.

“Liverpool also just needs to look for a new defender for the future. And in that respect, Timber would of course be a fantastic option if we manage to capture him.”

Timber opens up on his future

Timber himself has recently spoken about his future and admits that a transfer away from Ajax “can happen” this summer.

“For me, it is the same situation as last season. If I say: I’m leaving, it has to fit,” Timber told Ziggy Sport. “Playing style is important, playing minutes… Participating in the prizes is also important. My favourite country? I dare not say that.

“That’s why I’m doing the same as last season. The chance is there, it can happen, but I’m also good here. I’m still young and everything suits me here. I’m going to take a look.”

Talk of a move to Liverpool first began to materialise last month. That’s after it was claimed the player’s partner had been spotted on Merseyside looking for houses.

Given his abilities, the fact he can cover a couple of positions and now has the personal recommendation of Van Dijk, it is easy to see why a move to Liverpool looks to be on the cards.

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