Liverpool news and transfers LIVE – Nicolo Barella update, Sadio Mane interest, Teun Koopmeiners chase

Hello and welcome to the ECHO’S dedicated Liverpool news and transfers blog on Thursday, May 18.

Liverpool are, seemingly, pressing forward with plans for the summer window after confirming four players will leave the club when their respective contracts expire. In a quadruple announcement, vice captain James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had their futures publicised.

Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team are set to prioritise midfield recruits when the market reopens – with the manager reported to keen on adding Nicolo Barella to his ranks. Mason Mount and Alexis Mac Allister are still on the radar, too, as fresh reports linking the Reds with Atalanta player Teun Koopmeiners emerge.

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Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Liverpool FC transfer rumours below.

08:53Tom Cavilla

Table of Contents

Manchester United linked with Mane move

Manchester United are said to be considering a move for Sadio Mane ahead of the summer transfer window as Bayern Munich seek to offload the Senegalese star.

Mane is not expected to be in Bayern’s plans for next season, despite only arriving last June, and United will look to ‘take advantage’ of this situation according to Mundo Deportivo.

The above report adds Newcastle United are also keen and have ‘started contact’ with the ex-Liverpool star.

Sadio Mane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates

07:39Tom Cavilla

Koopmeiners battle

Liverpool are expected to provide ‘competition’ for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners this summer.

Serie A duo Juvents and Napoli are described as being interested in the Dutch midfielder by Calciomercato, while Manchester United are ‘ready to step forward’.

Also listed as a possible destination are Liverpool, who are also said to be keen on Koopmeiners. The article adds the 25-year-old has a price tag of between €35m and €40m.

Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta BC looks on

Liam Wood

A glimpse into Liverpool FC training

Liam Wood

Final two Premier League matches

Liverpool made it seven wins on the spin when they swept aside Leicester.

Here are the final two Premier League matches they have to contend with;

Saturday, May 20 vs Aston Villa (H) at 3pm

Sunday, May 28 vs Southampton (A) at 4.30pm

Liam Wood

Jurgen Klopp wants Nicolo Barella signing – reports

Jurgen Klopp is reportedly urging Liverpool to track and sign Nicolo Barella.

Speculation over the €80m-rated Inter Milan midfielder remains at fever pitch.

But will the Reds win the race for him when the market reopens?

Reports from Inter Live underline Klopp-led interest from Anfield as the Premier League giants continue to consider alternatives to Jude Bellingham after shelving their initial plans to target him. Klopp is thought to be a huge admirer of Barella, 26, and Inter might be forced to cash in.

(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

Liam Wood