Liverpool have been told that they would need to pay PSV Eindhoven the entire £32million release clause in order to prise Ibrahim Sangare away from the club, after being beaten to both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia by Chelsea. The Reds’ lack of defensive stability in midfield was evident on the opening day of their Premier League season, with boss Jurgen Klopp keen to address the area before the transfer window closes.

With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho joining Saudi Arabian clubs and the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing on free transfers, a big hole has been left in midfield despite the club signing both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool had their eyes on both Caicedo and Lavia and were committed to spending £110m and £60m respectively but now the pair look set to link up together at Chelsea, with Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit already confirming a British record deal for the former Brighton midfielder.

Now, Lavia is set to become another big-money Chelsea move despite Southampton chief Jason Wilcox confirming that a bid from Liverpool was accepted before the Blues hijacked a second transfer.

ESPN have claimed that Liverpool are interested in PSV midfielder Sangare but Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad have confirmed that the Eredivisie club’s position is that they will reject all bids below his £32m release clause – a clear message to those interested, including Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Klopp aimed a dig at Chelsea on Sunday following the two sides’ 1-1 draw as he hit out at Pochettino ahead of moves for both Caicedo and Lavia. When asked to comment on his Blues counterpart’s statement of wanting further signings at Stamford Bridge, the German replied: “That’s what each Chelsea manager wants and usually they get it.”