Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Ragnar Klavan and Georginio Wijnaldum

Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum

Liverpool are poised to complete the signing of the Augsburg centre back Ragnar Klavan this week.

The 30 year old defender will sign as a replacement for recently released Kolo Toure. With the likes of Sakho and Gomez picking up injuries earlier this month, Klopp is keen on adding some depth to the centre back position and Ragnar is expected to fill that void.

The Reds are hoping to sign another centre back apart from the Estonian from Augsburg as a replacement for Skrtel.

According to Telegraph, Liverpool have agreed a fee of 3.5 million pounds with the German club for Ragnar and the player will complete his medical with the Premier League outfit this week.

The experienced defender had an impressive game against Liverpool in the Europa League last season and his aerial ability will be a huge asset for the Anfield club at the back as well as during set pieces.

Klopp knows the player well from German football and values the experience of the 30 year old. Ragnar joined Augsburg in 2012 and has played well over 100 games for them. He has previously played for AZ Alkmaar under the former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman. Ragnar has more than 100 international caps to his name as well.

Meanwhile, the Reds are looking to sign the Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as well.

The 25 year old Dutch midfielder is a target for Jurgen Klopp, after the German decided to end the pursuit of Piotr Zielinski. The Polish midfielder is now expected to sign for Milan.

Wijnaldum had a fantastic debut season in the Premier League last year and is not keen on playing in the Championship this season.

The technically gifted midfielder has been linked with a move to Tottenham as well, but according to Telegraph, Liverpool are firm favourites for his signature and are hoping to complete a deal this week.

Newcastle are ready to sell the player for a fee of 27 million pounds, but Liverpool are optimistic of reaching an agreement closer to the 20 million pounds mark.

Wijnaldum will add much needed creativity and goals to Liverpool’s midfielder. His energy, flair and well timed runs into the box will make the Reds more of an attacking threat.

— Liverpool FC 360 (@LFC_360) July 18, 2016

Rafa Benitez recently spoke about the player and described him as someone who can play anywhere. The former Liverpool manager is now in charge of Newcastle and will be hoping to hold on to his best player this summer.

Wijnaldum scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season and created plenty of chances for his side as well.

Rafa said: “We were thinking about where to play him the other day, and we said: ‘His best position could be behind the striker’.”

“But because he is doing well he can play on the right, he can play on the left. “And even then I was talking to him about when he was playing against Costa Rica (for the Netherlands) in the World Cup in Brazil (in 2014) in a deeper position, and he can play there too because he is so good.”

“On saying that, he is so good up front because he can create and score goals.”

If Liverpool can agree a fee for the Dutch midfielder, it would certainly be a fantastic acquisition for them. The report from Telegraph adds that Liverpool are confident of agreeing a deal for Wijnaldum this week and the player could join his new club on their US tour.

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