Liverpool could be set to spring a surprise as they eye up late transfer business before Thursday night’s deadline.
The club’s last signing came in the form of Andrew Robertson from Hull City, who joined in July as the third new arrival behind Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke.
With deals for primary targets in RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita and Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk failing to materialise, the Reds have been forced to turn their attentions elsewhere.
In the latest twist, Liverpool have made an inquiry to sign Monaco star Thomas Lemar for a club record fee of around £55m, reports the Telegraph.
The news broke hours after Jurgen Klopp had watched his side beat Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield, and on the same night reports from Italy had suggested the club was in talks to sign Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches.
Besides this, the past week has seen rumours linking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to a move to Merseyside resurface, with Liverpool seemingly stepping up their interest after the midfielder rejected a new £180,000-a-week contract at Arsenal.
What has become clear in the final stages of the window is that it is likely to be midfield reinforcements that are prioritised, if any additional signings are to be made.
Lemar, who signed for Monaco from Caen for £3.5m in 2015, has also been a long-term target for Arsenal, although Arsene Wenger recently dismissed the chances of a deal, with the French side keen to bring a mass exodus of players to a halt.
The 21-year-old’s versatility and athleticism makes Liverpool’s apparent interest self explanatory, posing as traits that thrive in Klopp’s system.
It promises to be a busy few days.