Romano confirms Liverpool, PSG and Bayern tracking French wonderkid as Bellingham plans revealed

Liverpool are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach wonderkid Kouadio Manu Kone, according to prominent transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are seemingly on the lookout for a midfielder in January, with links to both Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez.

However, Fernandez is reportedly in talks with Chelsea over a move, with the Blues said to be prepared to pay his £106 million release clause.

Liverpool's need for a midfielder was seemingly strengthened by Monday's 3-1 defeat to Brentford, with Reds legend and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher criticising club chiefs for not investing further in that area in recent years.

He said: "Liverpool have bought one midfield player in four-and-a-half years in Thiago. It is coming back to haunt them now.

"To allow a team that was competing for four trophies last season to be fighting for top four because the midfield has only had one signing in four years.

"They are absolutely running on fumes. How has it been allowed to happen?"

Since the defeat, the Reds have been linked with a £44 million move for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes, having declined to bid for the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder in the summer.

Now, Romano claims they could be in for another young midfielder.

Liverpool interested in Manu Kone

The transfer journalist says the Reds are tracking the midfielder, who has also attracted the attentions of Bayern Munich, PSG and Newcastle.

Romano wrote on Twitter: "Many top clubs are following French big talent Manu Kone. Been told summer move is most likely plan for player, agents and Gladbach."

He also had an interesting update on the status of Liverpool's move for Bellingham, claiming that the Borussia Dortmund star remains their number one priority in the transfer market.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Dortmund have requested talks with the 19-year-old and his representatives this week, with a decision on his future likely to be made.

Therefore, Reds fans may know in the coming days whether Bellingham will join them in the summer.

As for Kone, the 21-year-old has been a regular in Gladbach's squad since making the move from Toulouse in the summer of 2021, making 41 appearances and scoring three goals.

A complete midfielder who can press and win the ball efficiently, Kone is also effective when it comes to dribbling.

He has been compared to Paul Pogba, and reports in Italy claimed that Leeds wanted to sign him in 2020.

The then Whites boss, Marcelo Bielsa, told Leeds chiefs to sign the midfielder, according to Correire dello Sport, but he eventually signed for Gladbach instead.