Liverpool transfer news as $1BN star 'shortlisted' with Reds close to agreement

Liverpool transfer news as a $1 billion star has reportedly been shortlisted by Richard Hughes, while the Reds are said to be close to an agreement to sign a player after the World Cup

Eduardo Camavinga has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has plenty of time to prepare ahead of the summer transfer window - although there is a lot of work still to be done before the club can think about making more signings.

Arne Slot’s side faces a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with the Reds lagging behind Manchester United and Chelsea ahead of the latest round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.

Liverpool will need to add to its options later this year, which makes reaching Europe’s top table all the more vital - especially if it’s eyeing up even more mega-money moves, as the latest reports are suggesting.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has Eduardo Camavinga on his shortlist as he looks to bolster the club’s midfield, according to Anfield Watch.

It’s claimed that the Real Madrid star is on a list that also includes Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Warren Zaire-Emery, Kees Smit and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Signing Camavinga though could depend on the Reds securing a place in next season’s Champions League, and that’s not the only hurdle they could face. According to The Athletic, the French international has a €1 billion ($1.2 billion) release clause after extending his contract in 2023.

Liverpool.com says: Well, we can certainly rule out Liverpool matching the release clause, although those are generally performative on the part of Real and Barcelona, and both sides will generally have a price for their players if they think they can get a good deal.

But as much as Camavinga tends to get linked with Liverpool, it never feels like a deal that will get done. The player himself has often insisted that he doesn't want to leave the Bernabeu, and even if it's not a billion dollars, the Reds would almost certainly have to break the bank anyway.

Allan Elias (Palmeiras)

Reports in Brazil are claiming that Liverpool is close to agreeing terms with Palmeiras for midfielder Allan Elias. According to TheFootball.com, the Reds are looking to structure a deal that would see the 21-year-old move to Anfield after the World Cup.

Palmeiras is said to be pushing for a total package of €35M ($41M), although the final figure has not been agreed yet. Newcastle and Aston Villa were also linked with Allan, while Napoli is said to have failed with its own offer.

Liverpool.com says: It would be a surprise to see Liverpool going down the route of signing a player straight from South America. Usually, the club prefers to wait for them to make the move to one of the smaller European leagues, like Portugal, before making the move.

We are seeing teams go straight to the source a little more often now though, especially when Palmeiras is involved. Chelsea has had some success with Estevao, and although Endrick has been sent out on loan by Real Madrid, he is making an impact at Lyon. Perhaps it's time for Liverpool to follow its rivals' lead.