Joao Palhinha is Liverpool’s top target on list of six names

The Blues officially announced the 21-year-old’s move to Stamford Bridge on Monday, sealing a £115 million transfer – the most expensive signing in Premier League history.

Lavia, meanwhile, is due for a Chelsea medical today. Liverpool have just 18 days remaining in the transfer window at the time of writing.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Reds are looking at six options to sign as the clock ticks towards the window’s close on 3 September.

Liverpool’s six midfield options to save summer window

The next two and a half weeks are make or break for Liverpool as failing to solve a problem they’ve been aware for over a year would constitute negligence.

Joao Palhinha

The Fulham midfield monster is reportedly “the most admired of the options” available to Liverpool. He’s valued at £60million-plus and the club is reportedly “unsure” whether to meet the Cottagers’ asking price.

It’s not surprising given that Caicedo, who Liverpool were prepared to pay £111 million for, is 21 and Palhinha is 28.

Now is not the time, however, to dawdle. The Reds have had ample time to prepare for this summer and although selling Jordan Henderson and Fabinho was a curveball, it was their decision.

Losing both Lavia and Caicedo to Chelsea is a hammer blow and so if Liverpool believe Palhinha will take this side to the level needed, they mustn’t hesitate.

Second on Liverpool’s reported list of late midfield targets is Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, who the Eagles signed last summer for £22 million.

However, the 23-year-old has an even steeper price point than Palhinha, with chairman Steve Parish telling interested clubs earlier this summer that Doucoure will cost £70 million.

He may not be as eye-catching as Lavia, or as ruthlessly efficient as Palhinha but Doucoure would be an excellent addition to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.

It’s a pricy transfer to complete but the urgency of the situation negates the argument that it will cost too much – Liverpool need to rectify a self-made issue.

Given Joao Palhinha’s shoulder injury, Doucoure may be one the most likely options.

Sofyan Ambrabat and Kalvin Phillips

I’ll discuss these two at the same time just because neither of them are likely options.

Phillips, as a Manchester City player, should be considered untouchable to Liverpool in my opinion as there is close to zero chance of City selling to the Reds no matter the player.

Amrabat is also an unlikely option as he appears to be close to a move to Manchester United.

According to Corriere della Sera, via GFNI, Liverpool were rejected by the Moroccan international in favour of a move to Old Trafford.

Khephren Thuram

While the French U21 star is only mentioned as one of the options without further detail, we know from recent reports that Liverpool are still considering a move.

In a report discussing Manchester United’s interest in Thuram, it was claimed Liverpool have already “verbally agreed to personal terms” with the holding midfielder.

He is one of the most exciting remaining options after Liverpool have somehow allowed both Lavia and Caicedo through their fingertips.

OGC Nice want around £60 million which is affordable for Liverpool after they revealed their surprisingly strong hand by agreeing a £111 million fee with Brighton.

I’ve embedded this tweet a few times but it’s no coincedience that Liverpool have shown interest or actually tried to sign every player in the “coveted golden zone”.

Thuram fits both the technical and physical profile needed for a holding midfielder in Liverpool’s system.

He’s six foot three but moves with an agility and balance that is quite surprising.