Liverpool and Newcastle told asking price for French wonderkid - would break club record

Liverpool and Newcastle United have been told they would need to pay Borussia Monchengladbach a club-record fee to prise away midfielder Manu Kone.

Liverpool’s midfield has been plagued by a spate of injuries, while star names such as Fabinho have been woefully out of form.

In turn, the Reds are reportedly on the hunt for new midfielders in January to freshen up the squad.

While much of the paper talk has been around whether Jurgen Klopp’s side can secure the services of the £130million rated Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, it appears the Anfield hierarchy may also be looking further afield.

Liverpool are allegedly one of many clubs interested in Kone - a midfielder lauded for his technical ability and defensive work.

However, Gladbach have reportedly placed a club-record €45million (£39million) asking price on the 21-year-old, given he is under contract with the Bundesliga club until 2025.

Sport Bild is claiming that the Reds would have to beat a record set by Arsenal to bring Kone to Liverpool.

Indeed, at present, the highest fee Gladbach have received for an outgoing player was for Granit Xhaka, who moved to the Emirates for £35million in 2016.

While Kone has been a regular for his club and France’s under-21 side, it is reported that Gladbach are ready to cash in on the youngster, with Newcastle also said to be long-standing admirers.

Elsewhere, the Reds have also been linked with RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer, with the 25-year-old reportedly valued at around £26million, given he’s out of contract next summer.

The midfielder was a crucial part of the Leipzig midfield last term, registering five goals and six assists in 43 appearances.

However this season, the Swiss international has been blighted by a collection of injuries and is currently out with a ligament problem.