Liverpool new transfer 'target' emerges as offer 'rejected' before deadline day

Liverpool enter deadline day having made just two summer signings but with plenty of optimism after a bright start under Arne Slot. The Reds have beaten Ipswich Town and Brentford in their opening two fixtures of the new season and travel to rivals Manchester United next.

Winger Federico Chiesa and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili are the only two new additions to Arne Slot's team this summer. But more arrivals could happen before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday.

And Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou has claimed that the Reds have made a late attempt to sign Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze. The Argentine shone as a defensive midfielder last season with his performances helping Olympiacos win the Conference League.

READ MORE: Inside the four weeks Federico Chiesa 'announced himself' as a Liverpool player

READ MORE: Chiesa arrival, Slot talks - Darwin Nunez Liverpool future decided ahead of deadline day

However, Kountourou adds that it will 'take a lot' for the Greek club to let their star midfielder depart so late in the transfer window. The 22-year-old has four years left on his current deal with Olympiacos.

Elsewhere, the Times' Paul Joyce has reported that Liverpool have rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest for Caoimhin Kelleher. He adds that the offer was below Liverpool's valuation and the club are not looking to sell.

The Irishman has been a reliable deputy to Alisson at Anfield but is unlikely to earn regular game time while the Brazilian remains on Merseyside. Kelleher has previously admitted that he is ready to be a first-choice goalkeeper elsewhere after four years as Alisson’s deputy.

In a press conference while on duty for the Republic of Ireland earlier this summer, he said: "Of course, you need to speak to the new manager and the new people at the club, who are coming in. Conversations have to be had with them before anything else happens.

"I think it's a good moment for myself coming off the back of the season where I played the most games I ever have, my confidence is obviously very high and, like you say, I think clubs will have been looking as well and seen me play, so there'll hopefully be some interest elsewhere.

"I can't make the final decision to say that I want to go and leave, there's a lot from the club as well, if they feel they need me to stay and need me as cover. At the end of the day, it's not fully my decision if I want to go and leave because obviously the club have the final say."