Rumour Mill: Gremio reject Liverpool’s approach for striker Luan Guilherme

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have seen a move for Gremio star Luan Guilherme rejected this summer.

Luan has established himself as one of the best young players in the Brazilian Serie A, and was named in the Brasileirao Team of the Year for 2015.

This has led to interest from around Europe, including the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp seemingly looking to bolster his ranks ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

Spanish publication Sport claims that Gremio have rejected offers from both Liverpool and an unnamed Italian club for the 23-year-old, while Barcelona are also considering a move.

Currently with the Brazil squad at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Luan is said to be a great fit for European football.

The versatile forward is also believed to have spoken to Barcelona star Neymar Jr about a possible move to Catalonia, with Sport suggesting a move to Camp Nou is most likely.

Klopp has already signed Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum to add to his attacking options this summer, joining Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho among others.

It is likely that Liverpool’s approach for Luan came before the addition of Mane, as with a reported bid for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Mario.

The Liverpool squad is already flooded with attacking options, and Luan is unlikely to find himself in a starting role at Anfield.

Perhaps most significant is Sport‘s suggestion, as a Catalan-based outlet, that Luan “is now the only Brazilian attacking option for Barcelona to potentially sign this summer.”

SANTA CLARA, USA - Saturday, July 30, 2016: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action against AC Milan during the International Champions Cup 2016 game on day ten of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Levi's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The La Liga giants were heavily linked with a move for Philippe Coutinho this summer, along with Paris Saint-Germain, but it seems that the 24-year-old is set to stay with Liverpool.

Coutinho has returned to his key role in Klopp’s attacking line during pre-season, and is likely to start the season alongside Firmino and Mane, behind either Sturridge or Origi.

Speaking in June, Coutinho reiterated his commitment to the Reds, saying “I am grateful for everything Liverpool has done for me.”

“Am I happy there working under Klopp?” he added. “It’s clear, he’s great.”

The former Inter Milan playmaker currently runs until the end of 2019/20, and it likely won’t be long before Liverpool prompt talks over an extension—due to his importance to Klopp’s side.



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