Jose Mourinho makes Liverpool transfer request as Virgil van Dijk ‘interest’ claimed

The latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours as we take a look at some of the stories doing the rounds at Anfield over the last 24 hours.

Liverpool are closing in on the Premier League title and could be crowned champions in just over 48 hours, depending on how other results go.

The Reds travel to take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm kick-off). The game comes just a couple of hours after Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.

Should the Gunners lose, then a win over the Foxes would see the title confirmed for Liverpool - the win would also see opponents Leicester’s relegation confirmed.

Liverpool have been handed another major boost before the match in Leicester, with confirmation that club captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two-year deal with the club. It comes less than a week after Mohamed Salah did the same.

Securing the two players’ future will be a big boost heading into the summer transfer window, which is not far away. Here is a look at some of the latest stories around Anfield.

Reds in thee-way forward race

Liverpool are one of three Premier League sides who have reportedly been watching Real Betis youngster Jesus Rodriguez ahead of the summer transfer window. CaughtOffside report that the Reds, along with Arsenal and Chelsea have all had scouts in attendance at recent La Liga games to watch the player.

The 19-year-old has played 15 times in the league for Betis this season and has established himself as a regular started since the turn of the year. He is able to play on both the left and the right and has scored four times and provided a further four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions this season.

Rodriguez is said to have impressed scouts who have been watching him. But Betis are reported to be keen in keeping the player beyond the summer window, although a big offer could force their hand.

Mourinho’s Chiesa interest

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are showing an interest in Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, according to reports in Turkey. The reports, via Aspor claim that Mourinho himself has requested that his side attempt to sign the Italian in the upcoming summer window.

The 27-year-old joined Liverpool in the summer but has failed to make an impact at Anfield in his first season with the club. He has been linked with a return to Italy with Lazio said to be interested.

So far this season, Chiesa has made 12 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two more assists.

Van Dijk interest

Chelsea were showing an interest in signing Virgil van Dijk in the summer, before he put pen to paper on a new deal at Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that the Blues ‘explored the idea’ of signing him back in the summer, but got the ‘feeling’ that he would sign a new deal at Anfield.

PSG were also linked with an interest, but that has been described as a ‘non-starter’.

Van Dijk followed teammate Mohamed Salah in signing a new two-year deal with Liverpool on Thursday. The end of his deal will take him to eight-and-a-half years with the club.