Manu Kone transfer update amid Liverpool's midfielder search

Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has "had an eye on" Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone for six months as the Reds continue to rebuild their midfield. 

The Reds could lose as many as six first-team midfielders this transfer window and are in need of new bodies. James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all departed Liverpool on free transfers this summer, while Arthur Melo returned to Juventus after the conclusion of his one-year loan deal.

While the above was planned for some time, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho's expected transfers Saudi Arabia have complicated Liverpool's transfer plans.

Henderson is in talks to reunite with Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq after reportedly receiving an offer worth £700,000-per-week to move to the Middle East. However, the two clubs are no closer to agreeing a transfer fee, with Liverpool reluctant to let go of their captain on the cheap. Meanwhile, Fabinho was left out of the club's pre-season trip to Germany with his exit looking imminent.

While Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have already joined the club, Liverpool will likely need more signings between now and the end of the summer to complete their midfield rebuild.

Kone was one such name heavily linked with the club earlier this summer, but his injury at the European Under-21 Championships seemed to put any potential transfer on the back burner.

However, German reporter Christian Falk believes the French midfielder is still on Liverpool's shortlist, with Schmadtke, in particular, keeping a close eye on the player.

Falk told GIVEMESPORT: "He’s [Kone's] also on the list of Liverpool. You know, Schmadtke has had an eye on him for six months. The funny thing is his son is working at Gladbach as a manager, so you see, the direction is very short.”

Kone is undoubtedly a talented player with a bright future ahead of him and is reportedly available for around €40m (£35m), according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 22-year-old is set to miss up to six weeks of action with a knee injury, but if Liverpool view him as a long-term option who ticks all the boxes, his short spell on the sidelines is unlikely to deter their pursuit of him.

Liverpool have also been linked with the likes of Romeo Lavia (Southampton), Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich) and most recently Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace).

READ MORE: Cheick Doucoure: Who is the Liverpool transfer target?