Romano claims Liverpool are set for ‘direct talks’ with PL star as they look to seal £87m duo

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool have made Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch their top targets this summer.

The Reds have been struggling this season with Jurgen Klopp’s men currently eighth in the Premier League and 12 points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

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Their collapse this season has been made more remarkable by the face they were a couple of matches away from winning an unprecedented Quadruple last term.

And it is Klopp’s midfield which has taken the brunt of the criticism with many fans and pundits frustrated that the club have not addressed their midfield issues over the last couple of transfer windows.

Liverpool know they need at least a couple of midfielders in the upcoming summer market with the Anfield recruitment compiling a list of targets.

– who has been brilliant for Brighton this season and won the World Cup with Argentina in the winter – .

Recent reports have indicated that Brighton want £62m for Mac Allister in the summer transfer window, while Bayern Munich are holding out for £25m for Gravenberch, who has struggled to gain a regular place in the starting XI at the Allianz.

And transfer expert Romano claims that Liverpool are about to take their interest in Mac Allister to the next level with “direct talks”.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Liverpool will have direct talks with Alexis Mac Allister over a summer move. He’s made it clear to the Brighton board that he wants to leave, and a move could happen shortly after the end of the season. Chelsea are also interested, but he’s not one of their priorities for the moment.

“Another midfielder appreciated by Liverpool is Ryan Gravenberch, who is unsettled at Bayern Munich. He’s not happy with his lack of playing time and will hold talks with the club towards the end of the season, though Bayern rate him highly and hope he will stay.

“Despite rumours to the contrary, I’m not sure Liverpool are ready to let Joel Matip go. He has always been appreciated by Klopp, on and off the pitch, so he could still have a role to play at Anfield. These kind of decisions will be made in the next weeks.”