Liverpool want Fulham's Palhinha but are wary of £60m price tag
Liverpool face a race against time to land much-needed reinforcements in midfield with Fulham's Joao Palhinha and Crystal Palace youngster Cheick Doucoure among the favoured options.
The Reds have been left reeling following Chelsea's double swoop of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, despite the Anfield club first agreeing a British transfer record fee for the former after they had spent much of the summer courting the latter.
Now scrambling to secure the vital signing of a defensive midfielder before the transfer window slams shut on September 1, Mail Sport understands as many as six targets are being considered.
Fulham's combative midfielder Palhinha, who led the league for successful tackles last term, is believed to be the most admired of the options. However, the club is unsure whether to stump up the £60million-plus it would take to pry the 28-year-old away from Craven Cottage.
Despite his obvious talents, the Portuguese international is much older than the club's preferred profile of acquisition and is currently sidelined after being forced off in his side's pre-season friendly against Brentford with a shoulder injury last month.
Palace youngster Doucoure, who only joined the side from Ligue 1 outfit Lens last summer, is another player who is being considered. Liverpool had been linked with the 23-year-old earlier on in the window but were met with a £70m valuation from the Eagles.
But amid the desperation to recruit in the position - and the £110m they were willing to spend on Caicedo - Liverpool may now view the Mali international as a viable option.
Jurgen Klopp's side had begun their summer recruitment diligently by snapping up Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined fee of £95million.
But the
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
