Liverpool ready to send €63 million + €8 million offer for Chelsea-linked Barcelona star

As reported by Futbol Total on Twitter, Liverpool have entered the race to try and sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands international is also a transfer target for the Reds’ Premier League rivals Chelsea.

De Jong’s future has been the talk of the town all through the summer as Barcelona are trying to force him out of the club to generate funds as well as free up space on their wage bill. However, the 25-year-old has given no indication that he wants to leave.

De Jong has already rejected overtures from Manchester United, with the lack of Champions League football at Old Trafford seen as a major red flag for the Dutchman.

Chelsea have also shown a great degree of interest in the Netherlands international, although the Blues are currently focusing on signing another Barcelona star in the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Amidst this, Liverpool also seem to have thrown their hat in the ring to try and sign de Jong from Barcelona. The Reds have made a poor start to the new season, failing to win any of their three Premier League fixtures so far.

The midfield unit has been hit with injuries as Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita are sidelined while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s fitness issues are always a concern. On top of that, captain Jordan Henderson has not looked all that good in the first few weeks of the season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had previously insisted that the Merseysiders would not be making any more signings this summer. However, the iffy start to the new campaign may have changed their stance on the matter.

As per the report, Liverpool are willing to splash the cash to sign de Jong. The finalists of the UEFA Champions League last season are ready to offer a fee of €63 million (£53 million) plus €8 million (£7 million) in variables to lure the midfielder away from Barcelona.

It will fall short of the €85 million total package that Manchester United had previously offered for de Jong. But considering Barça’s tricky financial situation, they might be willing to entertain a proposal from Liverpool, although the veracity of the report remains undetermined.