Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could prompt another big outlay in the summer transfer window, with the German predicted to spend £200 million by one journalist.
Klopp will likely be overseeing another overhaul of personnel on Merseyside at the end of the season, with his squad needing further reinforcement in a host of key areas.
The likes of Alberto Moreno, Kevin Stewart, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Sturridge are also be expected to leave, opening up further gaps in Klopp’s group.
Last summer, Liverpool turned a profit in the transfer market, with sales of Christian Benteke, Jordon Ibe and Joe Allen boosting the coffers dramatically.
Klopp did still spend £61.9 million, however, largely due to the signings of Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane, and according to the Liverpool Echo they will be followed by more big names.
It’s claimed that while Klopp could initially be handed £100 million to secure his priority targets, sales of peripheral names and this term’s loanees could double that.
This is magnified by the Reds’ likely qualification for next season’s Champions League, with Klopp needing a major step up in quality.
And not afforded the prize money on offer for taking part in Europe’s elite competition at that stage, it will need to be produced from somewhere else.
Klopp will be looking to add another centre-back, left-back, central midfielder, centre-forward and a number of wide players to ensure his squad are able to compete in 2017/18.
Fulham‘s breakthrough talent Ryan Sessegnon is his priority target as deputy to first-choice left-back James Milner, but the 16-year-old is unlikely to come cheap.
Meanwhile, in midfield, RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita, Anderlecht Youri Tielemans and Atalanta’s Franck Kessie have been mooted as possible options, and interest in the trio will dictate a big-money fee.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt appears to be Liverpool’s key name on the flanks, though the likes of Schalke’s Max Meyer and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez have been tentatively linked.
At centre-back, Klopp’s options are less clear, as while Burnley‘s Michael Keane, Middlesbrough‘s Ben Gibson and Southampton‘s Virgil van Dijk have all been suggested, no clarity has been provided so far.
With a potential outlay of £200 million on the cards, the hope will be that Klopp is able to convince a clutch of top-level talents to Anfield, while also swelling his squad ranks.
This will be necessary, with the Reds back fighting on four fronts next season.
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