LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 31, 2018: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp before the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Pic by Dave Shopland/Propaganda)

Liverpool FC to send scouts to Istanbul derby amid rumours Jurgen Klopp wants four midfielders

Liverpool will reportedly have a scouting presence in attendance at the Istanbul derby tonight and the rumour mill is cranking into top gear.

The Reds have already got Naby Keita coming in over the summer from RB Leipzig to strengthen the centre of the park.

Even so, there is expectation—from fans as well as media—that another player could be incoming, given Philippe Coutinho‘s mid-season departure and the need for greater depth.

And it’s no surprise, therefore, to see plenty of names in the frame who could come in to beef up the squad.

Thursday’s rumours link no less than four midfielders of different types with the Reds, starting with one featuring in a key game this evening.

 

Anderson Talisca

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V31mF0TnZM

Free-scoring Brazilian attacking midfielder Talisca has been linked with the Reds several times over the past few seasons.

Well-connected local journalist Emre Sarioglu reports on Turkish-Football.com that the Reds will have a scout in attendance at Talisca’s game tonight, a Turkish Cup semi-final second leg.

It’s a big one, too; Besiktas are at Fenerbahce and the first leg ended in a 2-2 draw, with three players sent-off.

The 24-year-old Talisca is on loan from Benfica and Liverpool, along with Wolves, are reported to want him if he doesn’t sign a permanent deal with the Super Lig club.

 

Dani Ceballos

Next in line is a rumour revisited throughout much of the current campaign, featuring Real Madrid’s out-of-favour Ceballos.

The Spanish 21-year-old has played less than 250 minutes in La Liga this term, leading to constant speculation that he’ll depart the Santiago Bernabeu.

Most recently, he has been rumoured to be close to a move to Serie A with AC Milan or Juventus—but a call from Klopp has changed all that.

Calciomercato report that the Reds are now firmly back in the frame for his signature and indeed have jumped to the front of the queue for a €40 million deal.

More than that, the report suggests the Reds have spoken directly with Ceballos’ agents and arranged a four-year deal.

This is one rumour which isn’t going away any time soon.

 

Andrija Zivkovic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOc70G48o9U

Over to the Liga NOS for our final two rumours, starting with Benfica’s Zivkovic.

The versatile performer has played both as a central option and a more offensive wide man this term, scoring three times in the league along the way.

A Bola suggest both Liverpool and Tottenham want Zivkovic, with the north London side prepared to pay his £52 million release clause.

Klopp is said to prefer other targets to a move for the Serbian, but holds him in high regard nonetheless and has him on a list of alternatives.

 

Bruno Fernandes

Finally, Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes continues to interest the Reds, but they’ll face competition from Tottenham and Atletico Madrid, report A Bola.

They seem to like rumours with Liverpool and Spurs involved.

However, there’s a catch: the €100 million release clause it’ll supposedly take to snare his signature can only be activated between May 15 and June 15.

So, if you’re not into outlandish links, at least you won’t have to spend all summer reading this one.

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