Liverpool have set their sights on Leicester City fullback Christian Fuchs as a replacement for under-fire defender Alberto Moreno, while the Foxes are reportedly in negotiations with Sporting CP for striker Islam Slimani.
Since joining the Reds in 2014, Alberto Moreno has had a mixed time at Anfield. The Spaniard has come under harsh criticism from the Liverpool faithful for his poor performances and over the course of the summer, Jurgen Klopp has been unable to land any of his other fullback targets. Moreno’s bad form has now seen James Milner get shifted to the left back spot in an attempt to find a better solution. But it hasn’t seemed to have worked out, with Liverpool losing to Burnley and only managing a draw against Tottenham.
With only three days to go in the transfer window, TMW have reported that Liverpool have now set their sights on Premier League champion and Austrian international fullback Christian Fuchs. The 30-year-old joined Claudio Ranieri’s side before the start of last season on a fee transfer from Schalke 04 and went on to be one of the standout performers of Leicester City’s amazing title winning season. He started 32 games last term in the league and made that position his own. He, along with the rest of the Austrian squad, had an underwhelming European Championship run, where they got knocked out in the group stages. He retired from international duty following his nation’s exit.
Jurgen Klopp will be familiar with Fuchs from their time in the Bundesliga together, where both were at rival clubs Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund respectively. Despite turning 30 this year, Fuchs would still bring a lot of experience and prove to a more reliable alternative to Alberto Moreno. However, with only 3 days left in the transfer window, it is highly unlikely that the Foxes will be willing to let such an important player go unless they are able to find an immediate replacement, or get a huge offer for the former Austrian captain, who has two years left on his contract.
Leicester City in talks for Islam Slimani
The Foxes are reportedly in negotiations with Sporting CP for their Algerian striker Islam Slimani. Ranieri is still looking to add more firepower to his attacking arsenal after already having purchased Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow. Now, according to SkySports, the club are in advanced negotiations with the Portuguese giants for the 28-year-old.
Should the deal go through, Leicester would smash their club transfer record for the second time this summer. Leicester City broke their club transfer record by signing Musa for a reported £16.6 million. Sky report that the Lisbon club want a £34 million fee for the Algerian international, which the Foxes are understood to be unwilling to pay.
A lethal finisher, he’s gone on to score 56 goals for Leões in 108 appearances since joining them from CR Belouizdad on a free transfer in 2013. He was named as the best Algerian player of the year in 2013. Last season, his goals helped Jorge Jesus’ men to the Portuguese Super Cup and Taça de Portugal last year. His 27 goals in 33 league appearances last season helped them to a second placed finish in the Liga NOS. Sporting already seemed to have purchased a replacement in the form of Bas Dost from Wolfsburg, thereby paving the way for a possible switch to England.
