Liverpool transfer news - Right-back 'target' price drops, Virgil van Dijk exit claims

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

Today's Liverpool FC transfer round-up column sees the rumour mill go into overdrive as major changes kick in behind the scenesIt's all change at Liverpool. Francis and Al Hilal's hierarchy are now "operating on the basis of Hughes arriving at the Riyadh-based club in due course".Though Hughes' exit had been rumoured since the end of the season, the credible reports of his imminent move nevertheless raise serious questions - not least, who is in charge of Liverpool's transfers this summer?It also raises concerns around Liverpool's long-term planning.

Barcelona were said to be open to a refresh at right-back, which would only be possible if Kounde was open to an exit.While Brus' article doesn't offer any update on the player's intentions - understandably, given his focus will be on France's World Cup campaign - Barcelona could feasibly be setting a price to gauge interest ahead of pushing the defender for a decision on his return to Catalonia.Brus cites Barca's "desire to be careful when it comes to Financial Fair Play regulations" in the light of their previous financial woes, which he suggests could be the reason behind Kounde's availability.Kounde's price tag was previously "closer to £65-70m", with the reduced figure suggesting a desire on the club's part to pursue a sale this summer.Provided this report is accurate, it could present an opportunity for Liverpool to strengthen by signing a player who can cover two positions where the Reds need more bodies next season.Brus reports Chelsea's previous interest in Kounde "hasn't gone away", but the Blues have since signed Marco Palestra from Atalanta. Liverpool's interest, according to Brus, "was never as concrete", but the Reds are "still there keeping an eye on developments".Despite the mixed reliability of the outlet reporting this story, Kounde to Liverpool is a transfer that just makes sense - and could be one worth keeping an eye on as the summer progresses and the Reds - hopefully - box off their priority targets and switch their attention to other positions that need strengthening.Virgil van Dijk "willing to talk" about shock exitRumours about a surprise early departure from Anfield for club captain Virgil van Dijk have circulated since a pair of Turkish outlets sensationally claimed earlier this week that the Dutchman had held talks with Galatasaray.No top journalists have corroborated either these claims or the more recent ones, it must be clarified, but Serie A side AC Milan are now the latest club linked with the 34-year-old.Luca Bianchin at La Gazzetta dello Sport kicked off the rumours on Wednesday, claiming that "the idea of [signing] van Dijk has reached [Gerry] Cardinale", the managing partner of RedBird Capital Partners, who own Milan and - importantly - a minority stake in Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's ownership.According to Bianchin, "an internal evaluation of the matter is underway within RedBird" - but the reporter acknowledges the financial difficulty of meeting van Dijk's wage demands, suggesting that Goncalo Inacio could be a more realistic target.Carlo Pellegatti (via MilanNews), a Milan-based reporter, added fuel to the fire on Thursday with apparent details of Milan's proposal.

Come back next year when he's a free agent and maybe there's a conversation to be had - but until then, van Dijk is a Liverpool player and an exit this summer is unthinkable.Liverpool credited with interest in Mexico star MoraAccording to a report in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Liverpool are among "quite a few big clubs" interested in signing Mexico and Tijuana's youth sensation, Gilberto Mora.Mora has made a splash at this summer's World Cup in his home country, starting two of their four games - including the round of 32 victory over Ecuador - despite being just 17 years old.The Tijuana midfielder has already been compared to Andres Iniesta and became the youngest starter in a World Cup knockout game since Pele in 1958 on Wednesday, being substituted to a standing ovation in the Azteca.Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal have also been named as clubs "vying for his services", but Mora is understood to want to stay put in Mexico until after his 18th birthday, which will arrive in October this year.Standing at just 5'6", links with a move to the Premier League might be somewhat premature, but there is no denying Mora's potential and this should be the first of many World Cups for the wonderkid.Links to El Mala met with scepticismSaid El Mala has been widely reported as a name on Liverpool's shortlist of wingers this summer, but doubts have been raised over the 19-year-old's readiness to play for a top Premier League club.CaughtOffside's Mark Brus reported today that Liverpool are "still deciding whether or not to make a move" this summer or to keep tracking El Mala as one for the future, amid uncertainty about whether he would actually be able to secure a move to England given his family's unusual demands seemed to get in the way of a proposed transfer to Brentford.There's no knocking his record - 13 Bundesliga goals from 20 starts last season - but Brus reports that Liverpool's preference is "to wait and move for him next summer," as the Reds "need to prioritise a top class attacking player who can come in and help them replace Mohamed Salah straight away."Likewise, Christian Falk gave his opinion for CF Bayern Insider (Bayern Munich have previously been linked with a move for El Mala) that Liverpool "is a step too high for this player at this stage in his development", urging restraint over comparisons to the quality of Yan Diomande.Intriguingly, Falk did state his belief that El Mala "will make the step to the Premier League", but expressed his "doubts" over Liverpool being the right club for him to do that with.With no reports of concrete interest in El Mala yet, it remains to be seen if Liverpool do turn to the promising young German if they are unable to secure their leading targets.One for the optimists now: Falk also expressed his concern that "the Michael Olise situation is getting a little bit dangerous for Bayern." He did little to squash rumours that the French world-beater could be keen on a transfer elsewhere to pursue his dream of winning the Champions League, with Real Madrid seen to be a more realistic club to do that with.We're not sure about that - Bayern looked like worthy finalists only to exit in the semis to eventual winners PSG - but Falk sensationally claimed he doesn't "see the France international signing a new contract at Bayern in the near future."Liverpool are likely to be way off the pace in any race for Olise's situation at the moment, but could a deep Champions League run under Iraola convince Olise that Anfield is the destination for him?We can always dream.Khephren Thuram could be sold to fund Juve midfield revampOne-time Liverpool target Khephren Thuram has been linked with an exit from Juventus - and Liverpool could be among the clubs waiting to snap him up.That's from Tuttosport, who detail that the Bianconeri are looking at signing Franck Kessie or Stanislav Lobotka. Read our report on why the Saudi Pro League chief exec leaving his position could have a knock-on effect on the kingdom's push to attract the world's most famous Arab sportsman.In a transfer link that smacks of Joe Allen following Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool, Marcus Tavernier has been exclusively "revealed" to be "on Liverpool's radar" by TEAMtalk.