€25m Liverpool and Man Utd target set for one-year automatic contract extension

Liverpool are in need of a new defensive midfielder but will have to wait if they want to sign AS Monaco's Youssouf Fofana ahead of a host of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United are credited with the most serious interest although any transfer plans will have to wait until the club finalises Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25% stake.

Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle United are all also keen on the 24-year-old, according to 90Min.

Fofana is out of contract at the end of the season but Monaco have "indicated" they will be making use of a clause in the player's current terms to trigger a "one-year automatic extension".

Transfermarkt reports he is valued at around €25 million (£21.7m).

For Liverpool, this means they will either have to wait or move on to other targets although the report states that Fofana isn't high up on the list of transfer priorities for the clubs listed.

Fluminense's Andre has been the main target for Liverpool in the no.6 role since the summer when a £111 million bid for Moises Caicedo was gazumped by Chelsea.

Who Liverpool will sign to replace Fabinho is unclear yet with speculation swirling over whether or not the Reds are actually still interested in Andre.

Conflicting reports have surfaced in the last few days while one claim suggests Liverpool will not be pursuing a no.6 in the winter transfer window at all.

Until Jurgen Klopp is granted a defensive midfielder by his recruitment team, he will struggle to manage games late on from the sidelines.

The Premier League is the most intense division in Europe with every side capable of launching dangerous attacks. The likes of Rodri have proven that having a top no.6 is as crucial to success as any other position on the field.

Without a specialist to protect the back four, Virgil van Dijk and his defensive cohort will remain vulnerable.