Liverpool in talks to agree deal for highly-rated Everton defender

­Liverpool have reportedly identified Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a potential summer transfer target.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Jurgen Klopp’s side are going through one of their worst top-flight campaigns in recent times, finishing 10th in the Premier League table.

While Liverpool struggled at times in the final third, the defense and midfield were under constant scrutiny.

As many as 28 goals have been conceded in 20 league games this season, including three goals in each of their away matches at Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Although new faces have been suggested in midfield, potential additions at the back have been talked about less. According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool plan to send scouts to assess Branthwaite’s development.
With Everton heavily reinforced in defense over the past 12 months, it was decided that a temporary move elsewhere was the best course for the England Under-20 international.

Branthwaite has enjoyed regular playing time at PSV, making ten starts and seven substitutes in the Eredivisie and Europe.
Apparently, PSV wanted to convert January’s loan deal into a permanent deal only for Everton to reject offers of up to £15million for the youngster.

However, it looks like Branthwaite will be attracting widespread interest in his signing once he returns from his time in the Netherlands. The report said Manchester United and Roma also plan to send observers to watch Branthwaite in the coming weeks.

His contract at Goodison Park has just under two-and-a-half years to go, terms which will likely not be renewed if Everton are relegated from the Premier League.
James Tarkowski, Conor Coady and Ben Godfrey are currently ahead of Branthwaite in the Everton table, while other centre-backs such as Yerry Mina and Michael Keane could leave the club at the end of the season.

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Liverpool are reviving long-term interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski

Liverpool are reviving long-term interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
Il Mattino says Liverpool are interested in Zielinski.

The 28-year-old has long been a target for the Reds having opted for Napoli over Anfield in 2016 when he moved from Empoli to Napoli.

Piotr Zielinski

His contract with the Serie A leaders still has 18 months left, but the Italian newspaper says his salary seems “too important” given the salary structure set by the Napoli president. According to the outlet, if a deal cannot be reached in the Italian top flight, his future can only lie in the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp’s side have been mooted.

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