Liverpool instantly turn down substantial bid from Premier League rivals for one of their biggest talents

Liverpool have turned down a bid worth £30 million from a rival Premier League club for midfielder Trey Nyoni, it has been reported.

The Reds are short on numbers in several key areas ahead of the transfer deadline, despite completing the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering £123 million.

They have decided to reject a bid from Manchester City for forward Cody Gakpo, whose departure would have freed up a non-homegrown squad slot to allow Liverpool to bring in another player on deadline day. Premier League rules state that no more than 17 players can be classed as non-homegrown in a registered squad, with Liverpool currently at their limit.

The issue partially stems from last season's transfer window, which Reds legend Jamie Carragher recently dubbed as the worst in Premier League history.

Liverpool brought in goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a free transfer but allowed homegrown players Jarell Quansah and Tyler Morton to leave, while Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid.

The Reds haven't done anything to address the problem this summer, having sold three non-homegrown players and signed four.

Wonderkid defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who does not qualify for a work permit, has been directly impacted, as he has been unable to take up an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) permit - because Liverpool lost one of their allotted slots by not giving enough minutes to England-qualified players last season.

In order for Liverpool to get their ESC slot back for next season, giving minutes to homegrown players is an area that new head coach Andoni Iraola must improve on.

Liverpool turn down Nyoni Forest bid

Nyoni, 19, could play a role in that change, having been brought off the bench by the Spaniard to play 13 minutes in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

He has been tipped for a breakout season following the departure of Curtis Jones, and Oliver Glasner's side clearly liked what they saw from his brief cameo at Anfield.

According to The Times reporter Paul Joyce, Forest offered £25 million, plus £5 million in add-ons, for Nyoni. The bid was swiftly rejected by Liverpool, who view him as a 'valued member' of their squad.

Trey Nyoni made his first competitive appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty)

It is not the first time in recent days that Forest have swooped on Merseyside for a talented young midfielder - and their previous attempt ended in failure as well.

They made a £35 million bid to sign Everton academy graduate Harrison Armstrong, with the Toffees reported to have originally accepted the bid before reaching a 'unanimous' verdict to pull out of the deal due to furious fan backlash.

Both Armstrong and Nyoni are set to stay at their respective clubs beyond the deadline - but Forest's dealings with Liverpool may not yet end there.

They have enquired over the availability of Reds goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who hasn't been able to dislodge Alisson as Liverpool's number one since he arrived from Valencia last summer.

The Georgia international made 20 appearances in all competitions, largely due to Alisson's unavailability, last season but has been on the bench for the Reds' opening two Premier League fixtures.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Liverpool had reached a verbal agreement to sign 18-year-old Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, with a view to the Belgian moving to Anfield next summer.

READ MORE: Liverpool agree two transfers in space of an hour as Bradley Barcola signs long-term contract

It remains to be seen whether a move could be brought forward if Mamardashvili exits.