Liverpool: £25m move for Arsenal star; Zielinski latest; new contract for 19-year-old

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In Monday’s Liverpool transfer round-up, it has emerged that the Reds are preparing a £25 million move for Arsenal forward Theo Walcott. According to the London Evening Standard, Jurgen Klopp’s summer rebuilding project is set to continue with an approach for the England international, who has missed out on Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad after a poor season at club level.

The 27-year-old struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot last season, making just 15 starts and a further 13 league appearances from the bench. He managed only five goals and two assists in the Premier League, in what proved to be a very, very disappointing campaign for the Gunners’ speedster.

Klopp’s high-pressing system is built on energy and athleticism in both halves of the pitch – traits Walcott has in abundance. For the 27-year-old, there is a space on the right-wing at Anfield, providing he can find his best form. Youngster Jordon Ibe has hardly cemented his position on the flank, and a fully-fit, fully-firing Walcott could provide him with stiff competition.

Having said this, the reported fee will certainly raise question marks. If the Englishman is set to be a rotation option, surely £25 million would be better spent elsewhere by the club. Furthermore, with Lazar Markovic – who will excel under Klopp – returning from his loan spell with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce, the club effectively already have themselves a new signing out wide.

In other news, Liverpool have made a £9.5million bid for Piotr Zielinski, according to the Guardian. The Udinese midfielder, who has spent the last two years on loan at Empoli, is also wanted by Napoli. However, the Merseyside outfit appear to have stolen a march over their Italian competition.

Reports suggest Napoli have offered £8.7million plus add-ons with the club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, saying on Sunday: “Liverpool have made a bid for him and Zielinski wants to join them but we are trying to convince the player to join us, because we have an agreement with Udinese.”

Klopp is believed to have spoken to the 22-year-old personally in attempt to push through a move, and it is clear to see why. The Poland international, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Empoli, made 35 appearances last term, scoring five goals and creating a further 52 chances in the final third.

Zielinski has primarily been used as a central midfielder during his four years in Italy, although he can play out wide on the wings as well, or as a number 10. He would undoubtedly be a player for the future, should he sign for the Reds, with several names ahead of him in the pecking order.

Klopp has a fantastic reputation for buying relatively unknown quantities for low fees, before turning them into world beaters – he had so much success with these type of player transitions at Borussia Dortmund. As such, Liverpool fans will be hoping he has the same impact on Zielinski, should the youngster complete his switch to England, like many are expecting.

Finally, the Reds have agreed a new long-term deal for defender Tom Brewitt, so say the Liverpool Echo. The 19-year-old centre-back, who was mistakenly named on the club’s released list by the Premier League last week was out of contract this summer but has agreed terms over an extension.

Brewitt, who last season captained the Liverpool academy Under-18’s side, will be hoping to receive at least a handful of first-team opportunities in Klopp’s side next season – if only in the Reds’ cup fixtures. He found himself named in the travelling first-team squad for a league fixture with Arsenal at the Emirates in April, but will be hoping to do one better in the upcoming campaign.

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