“Strong likelihood” Liverpool transfer target completes summer move imminently

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Liverpool are reportedly prioritising the transfer of Manu Kone to bolster the midfield this summer.Khadim Diakhate of D Sports reports on X (formerly Twitter) that this means Chelsea have a “strong likelihood” of completing a deal for Anfield-linked Lamine Camara.The Senegal international is, however, understood to have been offered to both the Blues and Andoni Iraola’s men.Roma not open to selling Manu Kone to Liverpool(Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)It’s interesting that there seems to be a growing body of claims indicating that Liverpool aren’t just interested in adding to their forward line this summer.There’s no mistaking the fact that the front three remains a clear priority – even after the impending addition of PSG left winger Bradley Barcola.The Reds are still notably short on the right flank and there’s a clear need for a backup striker to Alexander Isak. Il y a de fortes chances que le transfert se concrétise, car Manu Koné demeure la priorité de Liverpool au milieu de terrain.

Le principal obstacle reste toutefois l’AS Roma, qui n’est pas vendeuse pour le moment. https://t.co/sUqi26FZuP — Khadim Diakhaté (@Ahmadoubamba36) August 27, 2026However, we take Khadim’s report as a welcome one, given Liverpool’s current lack of a defensively-minded midfielder.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustOur main concern, however, is that reports coming out of Italy have indicated that Kone could cost as much as £51m this summer – a fee that potentially exceeds what Liverpool might have to pay for Lamine Camara.If Liverpool have the spare cash, they must consider Camara or Kone(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)We’re struggling to see how Liverpool manage to get a deal of this calibre done without parting ways with a high-value asset of their own.Certainly, if they intend to sign both a backup striker and a right-sided winger in the same window.

In that case, we strongly suspect that Cody Gakpo will be the one to make way amid interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.Now, Liverpool fans will, of course, be familiar with Kone’s name, having already been extensively linked with the former Bundesliga prodigy prior to the Jorg Schmadtke midfield rebuild.However, we feel this would arguably be a harder sell for our recruitment team than Lamine Camara. Lamine Camara’s stats (per 90) Manu Kone’s stats (per 90) 0.21 xA 0.09 xA 1.7 chances created 0.92 chances created 0.39 big chances created 0.15 big chances created 6.56 duels won 5.67 duels won 56% duels won 50.5% duels won 82.71 touches 65.15 touches 5.69 defensive contributions 3.59 defensive contributions 7.68 recoveries 4.65 recoveries * Lamine Camara and Manu Kone’s stats in the 2025/26 season in Ligue 1 and Serie A (Fotmob)For the sake of paying roughly the same price for either player, it seems pretty clear that Camara is the option to go for.But Chelsea’s potential need for an Enzo Fernandez replacement could very well mean that particular option is taken off the board before we have the spare budget available to act.