We're now little over a week away from Liverpool's first Premier League fixture of the new 2023-24 season, but the Reds might not have completed their biggest transfer of the summer.
It's been a busy few months for Jurgen Klopp and co, welcoming Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in deals worth £45million and £60m respectively, but Liverpool aren't done there as they prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in next Sunday's opener. Following the departures of midfield stalwarts Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Klopp is on the hunt for a third new signing in his engine room.
Aside from eyeing up Brazilian wonderkid Andre, names like Moises Caicedo, Joshua Kimmich, Franck Kessie and Sofyan Amrabat have been linked, but Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia has emerged as Klopp's priority target. The Reds aren't finding it easy to get him, though, as a fresh development has just demonstrated.
Here's a round-up of the latest transfer news from Anfield.
Liverpool suffer fresh Lavia blow
Having seen their second transfer bid worth £41million rejected, Liverpool have learned that Romeo Lavia "will be involved" in Southampton's first game of the season on Friday night, travelling to Sheffield Wednesday upon their return to the Championship. After suffering relegation from the Premier League, the Saints appointed Russell Martin as their manager, who's confirmed that Belgian midfielder Lavia, 19, is set to feature at Hillsborough.
"Both will be involved tomorrow night as it stands, I don't know if anything will change between now and then," Martin declared, speaking on Thursday. "Do I think they will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different."
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Veiga bid 'tabled'
Liverpool have offered Celta Vigo €25million (£21.5m) to sign Gabri Veiga and send him back on loan, according to Spanish outlet COPE via Estadio Deportivo. Veiga, 21, is valued at €40m (£34.5m) by former Reds boss Rafa Benitez's side, but Anfield chiefs hope to convince them with the loan proposal.
The Spain youth international recently suffered heartbreak at the under-21 European Championships, losing to England in the final after a goal from Liverpool's Curtis Jones. Veiga, who can play in multiple central positions, has also been linked with a move to Arsenal.
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Oxlade-Chamberlain weighing up offers
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a free agent after being released by Liverpool but has an offer from Turkish giants Besiktas which he's currently considering. BBC Sport report that the former Reds dynamo, whose time at Anfield was ravaged by injury problems, has a two-year deal on the table, while Saudi Arabian clubs are also interested in his services.
Last season, English compatriots Nathan Redmond and Dele Alli played for Besiktas, although both have now returned to the Premier League. The Istanbul-based club also want to sign Demarai Gray, although it's noted that the Everton winger's preference is a switch to Fulham.