KOP EYE £90M LEMAR
LIVERPOOL have identified £90million-rated Thomas Lemar as the man they want to replace Philippe Coutinho.
Anfield officials have made contact with Monaco to start negotiations for a player they tried to get last summer.
The France star (right) is also wanted by Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, but has indicated he is leaning towards the lure of Jurgen Klopp and an emerging, young Liverpool
team. The Gunners tried to sign the versatile forward on deadline day in August, and were expected to move for him again, but now fear the player would prefer a switch to Anfield.
Lemar, 22, is widely considered one of the best young attacking talents in Europe and getting him would soften the blow of losing Coutinho.
Liverpool (manager Klopp, above) have admitted defeat in their attempts to persuade him to ignore the overtures of Barcelona, after the Brazil star made it clear he will not agree a new, improved contract because his heart is set on a Nou Camp move.
There is now an understanding within the Catalan club they could get their man, IF they conduct negotiations sensitively.
That means no repeat of last summer’s crass attempts to prise the player out of Anfield at a knockdown price, and also a serious, achievable fee, which does not include unlikely add-ons. Speaking last night, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde again revealed his admiration for Coutinho.
“He is a fine player and we don’t know what will happen,” he said. “I really like what I have on my team now. We will see if he comes or not.”
Liverpool have not set a price for Coutinho, but any fee would have to exceed a £120m base price, with extra cash in add-ons.
Liverpool are now braced for a firm offer, which could arrive as early as this weekend, and indications from the Catalan capital suggest that it could reach around a £100m base price with £40m in add ons.
As an opening gambit that would be close enough to allow talks to proceed, and could even mean Coutinho has played his last game for the club.
He is ruled out of the FA Cup third round showdown with Everton tomorrow night with a thigh injury.