Liverpool wants Newcastle’s £25m-rated midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Ragnar Klavan

Liverpool are closing in on moves for £4.2m defender Ragnar Klavan and £25m-rated Georginio Wijnaldum.

After making three signings this summer in the forms of Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane, Jurgen Klopp has been busy identifying other key areas to improve in his squad during his first pre-season at the club.

The defence requires reinforcement after Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure left this summer, which meant that only Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and the incoming Matip represented recognised central defenders.

The latter of that trio have also picked up injuries this summer, and so the club have stepped up their search for cover, with Klavan widely reported to be the man they want.

Augsburg centre-half Klavan played both legs of the Bundesliga club’s Europa League tie with Liverpool earlier this season, and would cost £4.2m.

The 108-cap Estonia captain has been with Augsburg since 2012, having played in the Estonian, Norwegian and Dutch leagues beforehand.

As soon as news broke of Liverpool’s interest in Klavan on Sunday evening, reports of another transfer emerged. According to widespread reports, the club have joined the race for Wijnaldum.

Newcastle’s £14m signing last summer has been linked with a move away from the relegated Magpies, with Everton the club credited with the biggest interest.

Their Merseyside rivals have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the Dutchman, however, and hope to reduce the asking price to sign the 25-year-old.

Rafa Benitez’s men are thought to want at least £25m for Wijnaldum, but some reports claim that Liverpool are confident they can complete a deal for closer to £20m.

Some are not so convinced. The Liverpool Echo tell us: ‘Liverpool will have to pay at least £25million to sign Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.’

One thing is for certain: Liverpool really like attacking midfielders.