Michael Olise 'contact made' in transfer pursuit as Liverpool flop could have contract terminated

Liverpool will be hoping to wrap up any summer transfer deals as soon as possible.

Last summer, in the case of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds moved quickly to strike deals for the midfield duo to allow them more time to integrate into the squad.

Arne Slot's hopes of doing the same have been hampered by Euro 2024 and Copa America, with some players set to be away until mid-July representing their countries and therefore unable to complete moves.

Plenty is being reported regarding potential transfer targets, though only time will tell concerning who is Anfield-bound.

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Naby Keita doubts

Werder Bremen are said to be studying three potential options for the future of Naby Keita.

The former Liverpool midfielder endured a difficult first season at his new club, with injury problems again thwarting the Guinea international. Keita was limited to only five appearances in all competitions, only one of which was a start.

BILD have claimed the first option for Bremen is to find a new club for the ex-Red, suggesting a move to the Middle East could represent their best hope of a sale.

The second option would be to terminate his contract, which still has two years left to run, and the third is a "pardon" after the midfielder went on strike before a game in April, resulting in him being suspended for the remainder of the campaign and being fined.

Should the second option play out, this would see Keita following a similar path to Philippe Coutinho, whose deal at Aston Villa is due to end early.

The Liverpool ECHO says: Things have certainly not gone to plan for Keita since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2022/23 season. Still struggling to overcome his injury woes of recent years, that his future at Bremen is already in doubt is a real concern. A move to the Middle East could be the German club's best hope of securing a permanent transfer, which could see Keita reunited with some of his old team-mates.

Olise update

Chelsea have 'made contact' with Crystal Palace over a move for reported Liverpool target Michael Olise. Liverpool are one of the Premier League clubs to have been linked with the Frenchman, who came close to signing for Chelsea last summer.

The Athletic have claimed the Londoners are now attempting to wrap up a deal once again, having asked for permission to speak to Olise's representatives in the hope of agreeing personal terms. The 22-year-old is understood to have a release clause in the region of £60million.

The Liverpool ECHO says: Olise would be a brilliant addition to the Liverpool squad if a deal can be done. Chelsea's interest comes as no surprise after attempting to acquire the Eagles' star last summer and it is unlikely they will be giving up easily in this pursuit. Liverpool may well need to trigger Olise's release clause to stand a chance of beating their competitors, as opposed to becoming involved in a bidding war, but he won't come cheap either way.