Liverpool transfer news today: Diaz WANTED, £35m deal NEARS, centre-back TALKS

Here’s all the latest Liverpool transfer news. There are updates on Luis Diaz, Giorgio Mamardashvili and Gonaclo Inacio.

Diaz wanted by Barcelona

Liverpool may yet have a battle on their hands to keep hold of Luis Diaz before the transfer window closes amid reports Barcelona have narrowed down their search for a left-winger.

So far this summer, the Catalan giants have been focused on signing Nico Williams. However, with no breakthrough in negotiations coupled with the Spain international being handed the number 10 shirt at Athletic Club, it was reported earlier in the week that a list of alternatives had been drawn up.

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According to Mundo Deportivo, Diaz features on the list alongside Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman - who has reportedly been made available for a loan move - and AC Milan star Rafael Leao.

Liverpool to discuss Inacio

Liverpool hope to take advantage of Bruno Fernandes’s contract talks to land themselves a £38m defender in Goncalo Inacio.

O Jogo reports that Liverpool are pushing to sign Goncalo Inacio from Sporting and hope to take advantage of Manchester United's contract talks with Bruno Fernandes. The playmaker just signed a new deal at Old Trafford.

The link there is that Fernandes shares an agent with Inacio, meaning he's currently in England. Liverpool will use that to talk about Inacio, who could still leave Sporting this summer.

Mamardashvili deal is close

Liverpool will receive a bit of help to get their £35m Giorgi Mamardashvili transfer over the line. The deal should be secured shortly.

Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili but it appears they're a little reliant on Bournemouth. That's according to journalist Hector Gomez on Twitter.

Gomez claims that Liverpool's offer of around £30m all-in was short of Valencia's valuation. However, they will use funds from Bournemouth to boost the offer up to near £35m.

That should be enough to get this one done, though there's some negotiation that needs to take place. This one is close.

Of course, Bournemouth aren't sending Liverpool money out of the goodness of their hearts. They're going to get Mamardashvili on loan for the next season and will pay shy of £5m. It's not clear what the exact amount is, but Gomez mentions in a reply that it's not quite £5m.

Slot still wants Koopmeiners

According to reports in Italy, the Reds could take advantage of Teun Koopmeiners' uncertain future at Atalanta.

Willing to leave the Serie A outfit to take the next step in his career, Juventus have been favourites to sign him but they are apparently reluctant to pay the £51.5m asking price.

Furthermore, Tutto Juve states that Gian Piero Gasperini's side do not actually want to sell Koopmeiners to a direct rival so are therefore prepared to sell him abroad which reportedly places the Merseyside giants in pole position to win the race for his signature with Slot said to be pushing for a deal.

Despite not being a natural 'number six', Koopmeiners has previously been described as a 'transformative signing' were Liverpool to bring him in given his previous connections to Slot.

Now it just remains to be seen if the Reds make a move in response to missing out on Zubimendi.

Mainz boss addresses Sepp van den Berg

Liverpool are in control of a transfer now but Sepp van den Berg ‘very much’ wants the move. That’s according to one club boss.

Liverpool officially start their season in just two days but they still haven't figured out what to do with Sepp van den Berg. The Dutch defender returned in May after a fantastic loan spell at Mainz and was immediately linked with moves away.

The Reds wanted to sell, it seemed, but Van den Berg himself was worried about their asking price. Their unwillingness to lower demands 'hindered' his career, said the player

That asking price remains at £20m and that's proving difficult for the clubs who want Van den Berg. PSV Eindhoven, for instance, have been linked all summer but are struggling to find the funds.

They're not the only club struggling with it, either. Mainz would, unsurprisingly, love Van den Berg to return to them. They know full well that £20m is beyond them, however, and their boss admits they're relying on the player pushing for a transfer - and hoping.

Reds like De Cuyper

Liverpool are watching a very exciting left-back who could be Andy Robertson’s successor at Anfield. Maxim De Cuyper appears to have what it takes.

Nieuwsblad claims Liverpool are one of a host of clubs looking at Club Brugge left-back Maxim De Cuyper. The 23-year-old has just signed a new contract - but that's unlikely to completely put off the Reds.

Brugge moved to tie De Cuyper down for longer after Betis, Sevilla, Marseille, Ajax and Wolfsburg all made 'attempts' to sign him in recent times. In fact, this is his second new contract in as many years.

It's needed, though. Interest in the player continues to grow, with Arsenal mentioned alongside Liverpool as keeping tabs on De Cuyper. While a transfer may not happen this summer, he's unquestionably one to watch.