Liverpool submit record offer and £500,000-a-week salary for Real Madrid star

Liverpool are exploring the reinforcement market after a poor start to the Premier League season and could now be set to break their transfer record.

Although they returned from the international break determined to halt their decline in form, the Reds were on the verge of a comprehensive defeat to Nottingham Forest that highlighted some of the fragilities Arne Slot has been trying to address since the start of the campaign.

Nevertheless, David James firmly believes Liverpool can still have a strong season despite losing six of their last seven top-flight matches, saying the Champions League could be where they have the best chance of succeeding.

He told BBC Sport: “Liverpool are not recruiting for one season, they are recruiting for the future. I believe with the players they have brought in they can be good, but I was one of those who expected them to do well from the start.

“The test for Arne Slot as a manager is whether he can turn things around. Not winning the title this season doesn’t make it a bad season. In comparison it is compared to last season, but he didn’t expect him to win it last season. He’s already ticked that box if we look at the bigger picture. The Champions League is now becoming more important and winning it would justify everything this season.”

PSV Eindhoven travel to Anfield in midweek as the Reds attempt to move into the top eight in the league stage, which would translate into an automatic place in the round of 16 if they manage to finish the job.

January and beyond will be crucial for Liverpool as they look to prepare for the challenges ahead, and they could now be set to shatter their transfer record to achieve a premium target.

Liverpool submit record bid for Federico Valverde

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have submitted a bid worth more than £131million for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. The Reds are also reportedly willing to make the Uruguay international, who Toni Kroos has called one of the “top three” players in the world, their highest wage earner at more than £500,000 a week.

Ranking Liverpool’s record signings

Eager to double his current salary at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Reds see Valverde as someone who could revolutionize their midfield after falling into a bad patch under Slot. Simply put, he fits their tactical framework and the reigning English champions are ready to convince him that Anfield is a place where he can thrive.

Internally, there is debate at Real Madrid over whether letting one of its top stars leave the club would provide the opportunity to invest elsewhere, as the scale of the offer has sparked discussion within Los Blancos’ senior leadership, which could give Liverpool a chance to land their man.

With any transfer more likely to happen this summer, it now remains to be seen whether Valverde will become an important addition on Merseyside.