Liverpool ‘set aside’ funds to finalise £30m ‘priority’ transfer as they race to hijack Tottenham deal

Lewis Oldham
Liverpool transfer target Perr Schuurs
Perr Schuurs is attracting interest from the Premier League.

Liverpool have reportedly ‘set aside’ money to sign a new centre-back before the summer transfer window closes and they are interested in Perr Schuurs.

The Premier League giants have been focused on signing new midfielders this summer as over £100m has been spent to recruit Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo on permanent deals.

Liverpool remain in the market for one more midfielder, with Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure reportedly identified as their preferred target.

But they are also looking to sign a new centre-back who can compete with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. A deal for Goncalo Inacio is off the table now that he has signed a new contract with Sporting Lisbon but they are being heavily linked with Schuurs.

Schuurs – who is also on Tottenham’s radar – enjoyed an impressive debut season for Serie A outfit Torino last term following his move from Ajax.

Football Insider are reporting that ‘Liverpool are still working on signing a left-sided centre-back before the window shuts’ as ‘Jurgen Klopp wants cover and competition for Van Dijk’. The report adds.

‘Football Insider revealed last week (19 August) that Torino’s Per Schuurs, 23, is on the radar of Liverpool’s recruitment team and he was watched by scouts in his team’s Serie A draw against Cagliari on Monday night.

‘Liverpool have a budget set aside for a new centre-back but won’t commit the same sort of funds they are willing to pay for a central midfielder.

‘Football Insider revealed on Friday (18 August) that the Reds are ready to prioritise a deal for a left-sided centre-back after completing the signing of defensive midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.

‘Schuurs, is seen as a realistically priced option for the Merseysiders and could cost around £30million.’

READ MORE: The 20 biggest transfers in the world in the 2023 summer transfer window

Earlier this month, Liverpool reporter Neil Jones picked out Benfica’s Florentino Luis as an “interesting option” as they look to sign a fourth new midfielder.

“And who is out there? We know a few players that Liverpool like – Khephren Thuram, Ryan Gravenberch, Manu Kone, Cheick Doucoure. There’s Florentino Luis at Benfica who looks an interesting option,” Jones told Caught Offside.

“I don’t think they’d go head-to-head with Manchester United for Sofyan Amrabat, while Tyler Adams looks as if he’s off to Bournemouth. Kalvin Phillips? Joao Palhinha? How about Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, or PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare?

“Right now, there are lots of names in the frame, and a need to move quickly and decisively. Liverpool should not be in this position, but they are. Their next move, and how successful it is, could define the rest of their season.

“In terms of outgoings, despite reports, I wouldn’t expect Curtis Jones to leave Liverpool this summer. They have enough midfield issues as it is, without letting one of their home-grown players leave.

“Jones had a good end to last season, and had a good summer with England at the U21 Euros. He looks like a player who is ready to move up a level in terms of influence and performance levels at Anfield. They won’t be selling him.”

READ MORE: Man United and Liverpool urgently need midfield surgery… Top 10 Premier League transfer needs