Liverpool explored a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer late in the summer transfer window, with the Austrian admitting he “has always been a fan.”
As the injury crisis spiraled out of control in the final days of August, the Reds belatedly hit the ground running in their search for another midfielder.
With a move for Aurelien Tchouameni falling through earlier in the summer and priority target Jude Bellingham unavailable, the club’s recruiting staff weighed a number of options.
Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria was among them, but it turned out to be his teammate Arthur who made the season-long switch to Turin on deadline day.
However, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has already revealed that a permanent move has been made for Leipzig midfielder Laimer, and although it was “impossible” at the time, they are “still interested” before his contract expires on July 1.
With the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner seeing their terms expire next summer, it stands to reason that more than one midfielder will be signed.
And if a new offer is made for Laimer, who will be available on a free transfer, they could bring in a player who recently expressed admiration for the club.
“I have always been a Liverpool fan,” he told ServusTV this week, in quotes published by BILD.
Laimer is currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury that required surgery and is expected to keep him out for at least another 10 weeks, with the 25-year-old hoping to “strike again in January”.
It will be an important period for a player who, according to Plettenberg, is “very unlikely” to sign a new contract with Leipzig.
Bayern Munich are also interested in the Austrian international, explaining: “In the end, I would have been ready to take a new step. [in the summer].
“It didn’t work because Leipzig didn’t get the go-ahead. They quickly said: no, that is not possible.
“On the one hand, that’s good because you’re an important player.
“But it is also difficult, because many discussions have been held, a lot has been thought, a lot has been reflected on.”
It seems more likely that Laimer will head to Bayern given that it is a well-trodden road from Leipzig, but he is clearly open to joining Liverpool if the move comes along.
