Manchester United might have to change midfield transfer plans due to Liverpool and Saudi Arabia deals

Liverpool were always likely to be the major players when it came to midfielders in the transfer market this summer, but the extent to which Jurgen Klopp is having to reshape that area of his squad has become startling.

They were caught napping at Anfield last summer, but they could be heading from one extreme to the other. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left on free transfers, Fabinho is heading to Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson could follow and Thiago is the subject of reported interest from Barcelona.

Klopp thought he had done the bulk of his work this summer with the signings of Alex Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the uncertainty around three of his senior players could force them back into the market.

That could yet have an impact on Manchester United, who have landed the midfielder they wanted in Mason Mount but retain an interest in potentially adding another holding midfielder to Erik ten Hag's ranks.

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That is likely to depend on whether Scott McTominay is sold. It's considered more likely that he stays at the moment, but the academy graduate is one of the few sellable assets in the United squad and they have to raise funds through sales. If Newcastle or West Ham firm up their interest, then a decision will have to be made.

Of the players United would consider selling this summer, McTominay is one of the few that would attract a fee in excess of £30million. As explained previously, there are also financial fair play benefits to selling him. As an academy graduate, whatever fee is received for him would go down purely as profit in the accounts, making them look a lot healthier to UEFA and the Premier