Market news Liverpool: The Reds have made a hefty bid for a long-serving target, while the oft-bound Nicolò Barella is now coveted elsewhere as well.

Liverpool have already completed their first signing of the summer, but this is just the start of what will be a busy few months.

Just over a week after the end of the season for the Reds, they secured their first new signing, with the signing of Alexis Mac Allister officially confirmed by the club.

Neither side has disclosed the Argentinian’s fee, although some reports have suggested it could be as little as $44m (£35m/€41m), according to Fabrizio Romano, which should already be the deal of the summer .

However, Liverpool will need more players to move to Anfield alongside Mac Allister, with new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke having plenty of work to do after a disappointing season on all fronts. There is no shortage of names as there are currently a host of Liverpool-linked midfielders. One of them will be well known to fans while another will be in action for Saturday’s Champions League final.

Here’s Liverpool.com’s verdict on the transfer gossip swirling around the Reds today.

Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)

According to reports from Spain, a $64m (£52m/€60m) bid from Liverpool has been turned down as the company have renewed their interest in Aurelien Tchouaméni.

The Reds, of course, missed out on the France international last summer as Tchouaméni opted to join Real Madrid from Monaco. His first season didn’t go to plan, however, as he was in and out of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, leading to speculation that he could get back on track.

According to Defensa Central, Liverpool have made the offer of him as he appears to add to the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are convinced that Tchouaméni is not for sale and consider him ‘untouchable’.

Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)

Newcastle are reportedly set to duel with Liverpool over the signing of Nicolò Barella this summer.

Barella is poised to become a hot item, having impressed with Inter Milan and the Italy national team in recent years, and with Liverpool looking for new midfielders, he could be the ideal addition to Jürgen Klopp’s squad. However, the Reds will face competition if they are to sign the 26-year-old. According to Sportmediaset via FCInternews.it, Newcastle would also like to sign Barella, with Inter possibly considering selling him to solve their financial problems.

Liverpool.com says: Barella would certainly be a welcome addition to Liverpool, but if Inter are in a position where they need to sell, that brings more competition into the game, and if there’s a club you don’t want to be with a bid war with, is Newcastle.

The Magpies, of course, have nearly unlimited funds to draw on right now, not to mention Champions League football to lure in some bigger signings. Liverpool may have to hope that an appeal from the club and Klopp can help Barella tempt Merseyside.