Liverpool have only two weeks left to make more signings before the September 1 deadline. The Reds are still trying to recruit Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye but face spending over £150million to get the pair. The Merseyside outfit are limited with the business they can do between now and the end of the transfer window due to the Premier League's homegrown rules. On-loan centre-back Ronald Araujo is their 17th senior non-homegrown player, which means they have hit the limit. The remaining eight players in a 25-man squad must be homegrown.
One in, one out at Anfield
That means it is a 'one in, one out' scenario at Anfield. With that in mind, Express Sport looks at some bold homegrown transfers Liverpool could pursue to bolster their depth before the deadline.
Ethan Nwaneri
The Arsenal winger, 19, would be a very difficult signing. The Gunners rate the England under-21 international highly, and though he is expected to leave this month, they would be reluctant to sell to their rivals. But given he's set to leave anyway, if Liverpool were willing to offer a huge fee, why not? Nwaneri would be an exciting long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, in that he plays on the right and is left-footed. He can also play as a No.10. Nwaneri wouldn't immediately be in Liverpool's 25-man squad because of his age but would qualify in the years to come. And that would be important with Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones both likely to leave in the next 12 months.
Ivan Toney
A shorter-term signing now. Boyhood Liverpool supporter Toney is currently scoring for fun in Saudi Arabia and would be a significant upgrade on Federico Chiesa as the main back-up to Alexander Isak. Both Chiesa and Isak are known to pick up injuries so Toney would be good insurance against their fitness problems. He is a known quantity in the Premier League having shone with Brentford. But the Saudis may demand a big fee, and his wages, could also be a stumbling block. Another issue that could put a block on any deal is Toney recently being charged with assault at a nightclub in London. He is due to appear in court next month.
Archie Gray
A Swiss Army knife of a player, the versatile Archie Gray is another exciting young English talent. The 20-year-old, who turns 21 in March, has played Premier League football in central midfield, defensive midfield, right-back, left-back and even centre-back. Spurs do not want to sell the England under-21 star who they paid £40m to sign two years ago. But they have spent heavily on their midfield which means a deal may be feasible. Newcastle have had bids rejected for Gray this summer and it would surely take £70m or more to land him now. But he has a very high ceiling and might be worth the investment.
Adam Wharton
A bold one because it would take £80m or more to bring him in, but Wharton would be an excellent addition to the Liverpool midfield with his ability to zip pinpoint passes into the feet of the forwards. Still only 22, Wharton has the technical ability to replace Ryan Gravenberch alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and be a cornerstone of the midfield. The belief in Trey Nyoni means a deal looks implausible currently. But Wharton is a player Liverpool have long admired so a late swoop cannot be ruled out entirely. It would be very costly at this stage of the window, though.
