Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Liverpool to lose out on another centre-back option after Josko Gvardiol and Levi Colwill
Liverpool may suffer more misery in trying to sign another defender in the transfer market.
Five stars including Arsenal and Liverpool skippers stripped of captaincy like Harry Maguire
Liverpool have fallen behind in the race for Torino defender Perr Schuurs as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his backline in an attempt to get the Reds back at the top of the Premier League after a disappointing campaign. Liverpool have already suffered big blows in their pursuit of Josko Gvardiol or Levi Colwill, but could have been hit with a third blow and be forced to look elsewhere.
The Daily Star claim that Netherlands international Schuurs is in advanced talks with Crystal Palace, as the Eagles could lose both Marc Guehi and Joachim Anderson this summer. Both centre-backs have been linked with moves away, as the 23-year-old has been identified as a replacement for either of their defensive stars.
Roy Hodgson’s outfit have already had a bid of £27.7million turned down and were told to come back and meet Torino’s asking price of £34m. Though it is expected that a deal will get done as the Serie A side are willing to let him leave if their asking price is met, while Palace are preparing to return with a better offer.
It ensures that another Liverpool target is off the table, as Manchester City have reportedly agreed a fee with RB Leipzig to land Gvardiol. The Croatian World Cup star could cost Pep Guardiola’s side a world-record fee for a defender, something the Reds were not willing to pay with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate settled as a first-choice defensive pairing.
JUST IN Liverpool target Doucoure can 'do everything' was eyed by Arsenal and Arteta [TRANSFERS]
Liverpool have also been rebuffed in their attempts to prise Colwill away from Chelsea, amid interest from Brighton. The England under-21 star had a stellar season on loan on the south coast but Mauricio Pochettino wants to work with the talented defender and a long-term ACL injury for Wesley Fofana has only increased the Blues’ need to retain Colwill.
Reports had previously suggested that Liverpool had a £26m bid for Schuurs turned down, and the player confirmed to the paper edition of Italian newspaper Tuttosport that he had received offers to leave Torino.
Don't miss...
Liverpool add two stars to Jurgen Klopp transfer shortlist to replace Fabinho [REACTION]
Liverpool urged towards 'excellent' Villa transfer as Fabinho prepares farewell [INTERVIEW]
Liverpool have perfect transfer bait to hijack Man City's world-record £85m deal [LATEST]
"I don’t know if I’m staying," he said. "I don’t know if I’ll leave for Pinzolo on Monday, my agents and the club are evaluating the offers that have arrived."
Schuurs had actually been on trial at Liverpool as a 17-year-old but the club felt that it was better for him to progress in the Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard and to continue monitoring his progress.
However, they look set to miss out on him years later to Palace and Klopp will be forced to turn his attention to other defensive targets in addition to their midfield reinforcements.