Liverpool appear to be diversifying their transfer strategy in case negotiations elsewhere reach a dead end.

The Reds’ season will technically begin on Sunday when they face Crystal Palace at Wembley for the Community Shield, with their final preparations well underway.

Despite players now being close to full fitness, Liverpool’s squad is far from finalised, with many changes still yet to be made.

Bradley Barcola transfer would throw up crucial Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi question for Liverpool	Liverpool transfer news as Bradley Barcola linked and Darwin Nunez nears exit	How Liverpool could line up with Bradley Barcola in four-way attacking dream

Incomings are still expected and Thursday has seen them intensify their efforts to acquire new targets, with some of the rumours being rather mouth-watering for fans.

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Alexander Isak is the transfer saga of all transfer sagas, and in all honesty, fans are probably a little sick of hearing about it, at least while there is little movement on the matter.

However, now it appears that Liverpool are preparing a back-up option in case this drags on too long, with Richard Hughes keen on PSG’s Bradley Barcola if a move for the Swede is not possible.

This should hopefully speed up the process and perhaps even force Isak to hand in an official transfer request, with the Frenchman a very adequate alternative.

Although he is a winger rather than a striker, he would add to the Reds’ firepower in attack, giving Arne Slot plenty of further options to choose from.

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A centre-back is definitely something Liverpool need to bring in this summer, with their options at the back very limited to say the least.

Now, after looking at Parma defender Giovanni Leoni for a little while, the Reds are ‘strengthening their interest’ in the 18-year-old, making this one to keep an eye on.

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They face strong competition from Inter Milan, however, and they are considered favourites in the race for his signature, although Liverpool are waiting just in case.

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With Newcastle missing out on Benjamin Sesko, Liverpool fans have been left worried as it means the Magpies are even less likely to sell the Swede, at least not until they have found a replacement that is.

However, as their search goes on, Isak still intends to leave and the Sesko deal should not cause his chances of moving to Anfield too much harm.

Elsewhere, David James is interested to see how Giorgi Mamardashvili gets on being second-choice next season, Liverpool are preparing to say goodbye to Darwin Nunez ahead of his proposed move to Al Hilal.


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