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Liverpool identify Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as top midfield target?

Liverpool identify Palhinha as top midfield target?
© Reuters
Liverpool reportedly identify Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as their new priority midfield target ahead of the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to switch their attention to trying to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

While it has long been known that the Merseyside giants require fresh faces for the engine room this summer, Jurgen Klopp is currently light in that department.

Although five players for that position have been allowed to depart Anfield, only Alexis Mac Allister has been acquired to replenish those roles.

Dominik Szoboszlai can also be used in Klopp's midfield three, yet it was clear during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea that Liverpool were desperately in need of defensive-minded options.

Offers have been accepted for each of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but the latter is expected to follow the Ecuador international in moving to Chelsea.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on August 13, 2023© Reuters

As a result, Klopp and the club's recruitment team are under pressure to find alternative options with the threat of their midfield again being exposed in their upcoming matches.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool continue to hold an interest in signing Palhinha from Fulham.

The Portugal international was not short of admirers earlier in the summer after quickly establishing himself as an influential member of Marco Silva's squad at Craven Cottage.

However, a shoulder injury sustained during the Premier League Summer Series has seemingly led to any offers being put on the backburner by clubs contemplating a move.

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans in action with Fulham's Joao Palhinha on January 3, 2022© Reuters

Now, Liverpool are now allegedly ready to act, yet they are said to be against meeting the £60m valuation that has been placed on the former Sporting Lisbon player.

Klopp is also said to be keen on Crystal Palace player Cheick Doucoure who, like Palhinha, impressed during his first season of Premier League football at Selhurst Park.

Doucoure, who is five years younger than Palhinha, may reportedly cost as much as £70m, a figure that Palace may refuse to lower on the basis that Liverpool have been prepared to spend £110m and £60m on Caicedo and Lavia respectively.

Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Aston Villa represent Liverpool's next three fixtures in the Premier League, Klopp wanting to strengthening ahead of those contests.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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