Progress has stalled in the Reds’ summer recruitment drive, with the club having seen two bids rejected.
Liverpool has been hindered in its pursuit of three primary transfer targets, with no progress on moves for Piotr Zielinski or Ben Chilwell, while Mahmoud Dahoud is set to stay at Borussia Monchengladbach, Goal UK reports.
The Reds have seen offers for the Poland international and the Leicester left back rebuffed, while the Germany prospect will have to spend a further 12 months in the Bundesliga.
As Goal reported June 12, the Merseysiders made Udinese an offer of 11 million pounds ($15M) — including extras — for Zielinski that was batted away.
The Serie A side had accepted a similar proposal from Napoli, with reports in Italy suggesting that Camilo Zuniga was part of the exchange, but Zielinski rejected the club’s advances as he is intent on working under Jurgen Klopp.
Napoli is thought to have upped its wage package in the hopes of changing the midfielder’s mind but it is understood that he is still pushing for a switch to Anfield.
Liverpool has found negotiations with Udinese — which, like Watford, is owned by the Pozzo family — difficult despite meeting the club’s valuation for the player.
The Reds have also offered a sell-on clause over and above matching market price, but part of the pull of Napoli’s bid is that Zuniga would be loaned to Walter Mazzarri’s side.
Despite Zielinski’s desire to line up under Klopp in 2016-17, a deal cannot proceed without an agreement between Liverpool and Udinese.
The Italian club’s sporting director, Nereo Bonato, also said that “Milan are interested in Zielinski. Yet aside from making enquiries in informal talks, they have not made any concrete offers.”
Gladbach also is standing firm as it thwarts any interest in the Dahoud this summer. As revealed in April, the Premier League side was willing to offer upwards of £25 million ($33M) for the 20-year-old but has been made aware the club would need to wait a year to sign him.
Meanwhile, valuations between the Reds and Leicester City for Chilwell still remain apart.
Liverpool tabled a £7 million bid — £5 million with a further £2 million in extras — for the left back but the the Premier League champions want £10 million.
First day back at pre season pic.twitter.com/s3L3IaiDzL
— Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) July 1, 2016
The 19-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his current deal and is yet to sign a new contract with the Foxes.
The Premier League champions are reluctant sellers and hope that Chilwell will agree to an extension, while Liverpool is considering alternatives should Leicester not soften its stance.
The England Under-21 international has reported for the start of preseason training at the club’s Belvoir Drive ground, which began with a day of testing Friday.
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