LIVERPOOL are set to miss out on Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has snubbed interest from Anfield in favour of staying in the Bundesliga, with a move to Borussia Dortmund on the cards.
Beier has been a Premier League transfer target after a breakout season in 2023-24.
He scored 16 league goals for Hoffenheim to break into the Germany squad for this summer’s Euros, making his debut against Ukraine.
Beier remains a real target for Liverpool and the Reds even held talks over a deal in the last few days, according to Sky Germany.
But he remains clear in his desire to join Dortmund instead.
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The Champions League runners up are set to negotiate personal terms with Beier and will match his £25m release clause, according to Sky Sports.
Nuri Sahin’s side are looking to replace Niclas Fullkrug following his £27m move to West Ham this week.
Brentford already offered to pay the buyout clause, while Aston Villa and Chelsea made enquiries earlier this summer.
Liverpool will turn their attentions to Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.
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However, the Spanish defensive midfielder’s £51.7m release clause needs to be paid in full.
Other suitors such as Arsenal and Barcelona have failed to convince the Spain international to jump ship.
Zubimendi was part of Spain’s Euro 2024 squad, helping his nation lift the trophy in Berlin.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, who can play at centre-back and left-back.
The 22-year-old is one of European football’s most highly-rated young defenders, but was not an automatic starter for Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga-winning side last term.
The Reds are yet to complete a permanent signing under Arne Slot’s management, with the Dutchman spending much of pre-season implementing his new philosophy on the current squad.
Liverpool have won three of their four pre-season friendlies, including a 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
Their only loss a 1-0 behind-closed-doors defeat to Championship side Preston North End last month.
Slot snubbed Spurs, hates defending and has a PASS named after him
By Dan King
LIVERPOOL’S new manager Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
