Liverpool have been name-checked in connection with a mystery £75m bid for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.

The Lowdown: Midfielder wanted

The Reds’ midfield crisis was clear to see during their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Monday night, with Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all currently sidelined.

Jurgen Klopp admitted before the game at Old Trafford that he would like to add another central player to his ranks before September 1, which has been further backed up by journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos.

The Anfield outfit have been linked with several players, including Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, but now a new name has entered the fold.

The Latest: Valverde’s secret admirer

According to Spanish publication El Debate (via The Mirror), it’s claimed that Liverpool are set to ‘move forward’ with a new midfield signing, with Valverde being the subject of a €90m (£75m) bid from an ‘unnamed’ Premier League club.

The outlet assumes that the team sending the offer is likely to be one of the ‘big six’, or Newcastle United, who now ‘could afford’ this price following their takeover.

It’s believed that the proposal has been ‘rejected’ by Real Madrid, who view their maestro as ‘untouchable’, with a ‘substantial fee’ required to be sold.

The Verdict: Too much money

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool are the club who have approached Valverde, but this deal is not one that they should consider pursuing.

The Uruguayan, dubbed ‘world class’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, is undoubtedly a household name, but £75m is a huge sum of money to pay for a panic buy to cover injuries, and it’s not even guaranteed that he would be a starter when the out of action players do return.

It’s obvious that Klopp is a massive fan of Jude Bellingham, and any potential deal for him next year is likely to break the bank, so the Reds should hold off and find a cheaper short-term alternative.