Liverpool transfer round-up: details of Nuno Mendes bid emerge and Salah update

Liverpool are enjoying a lengthy break between matches, with over a week separating their FA Cup tie with Aston Villa and their vital Premier League clash with Manchester United.

The nine-day gap presents Jurgen Klopp and his Redmen the chance to recuperate after a challenging start to 2021.

But there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes.

Liverpool are continuing to weigh up Mohamed Salah's situation after the Egyptian forward held little back during an eye-opening interview with Spanish outlet AS in December.

Meanwhile, the remarkable details of the Reds' hefty bid for Sporting wonderkid Nuno Mendes have come to light.

And there is a financial blow on the horizon for Liverpool as they prepare to release their statements later this year.

Here is Tuesday's Liverpool transfer round-up.

Liverpool's Mendes offer

Liverpool reportedly submitted an offer of €25million (£22.5m) to sign Sporting starlet Nuno Mendes last summer.

Mendes, 18, is the latest prodigious talent to emerge from the Portuguese club's academy and has been linked with Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool.

Goal  claims the Reds tabled a hefty offer for the Portugal Under-21 star last summer, though their approach was swiftly rejected by Sporting.

Liverpool were searching for a left-back to provide back-up for Andy Robertson and - after their Mendes bid failed - brought Kostas Tsimikas to Anfield.

In a further blow to the Reds, Mendes penned a new long-term deal in late 2020 which included a release clause set at an eye-watering €70million (£63m).

Reds "calm" about Salah future

Liverpool are not prioritising a new deal for Mohamed Salah, according to reports.

Salah's interview with Spanish outlet AS in December prompted a wave of speculation over his future, with Real Madrid and Barcelona believed to be potential destinations.

But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists Liverpool are "calm" about Salah's situation, with the player under contract at Anfield for two-and-a-half more years.

“In this moment, interest? For sure, because, obviously, we’re talking about a fantastic player so it’s impossible for any club not to be interested in him," Romano told GiveMeSport .

“But at the moment, there is nothing advanced with this agent or with Liverpool. Liverpool have not received anything from these clubs, so they were a bit surprised.

“But they know that what Salah said is, ‘one day I would like to play in these clubs’, (and this) is normal because we’re talking about two major clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, also to change leagues.

“His agent is negotiating with the club to understand what’s going on for the (new) contract. They are not negotiating right now but, for sure, the concept of Salah will be something they talk about, like in the next year.

“So we will see, but, for sure, at the moment, Liverpool are really calm about the situation of Salah. They are happy with him and they are concentrating more on other players like Fabinho, [Virgil] Van Dijk, extending their contracts and then we will see what’s going on with Salah.”

Liverpool's huge financial blow

Liverpool are set for a £42million blow as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a new market-leading report.

The Reds will publish their financial reports in the coming months after a glittering 2020 which saw them end their 30-year wait for a league title in style.

But Jurgen Klopp is still yet to celebrate the triumph with his side's fans, as the Covid-19 outbreak has sent the country into numerous lockdowns and taken a huge financial toll and Premier League clubs.

Liverpool's rivals Manchester United suffered a huge revenue hit, while Tottenham announced massive losses and warned of further "irrecoverable" blows in 2021.

The lack of matchday income across the league means Liverpool are set to share in the hard-hitting financial impact of coronavirus.

Accounting and consultancy firm KPMG has assembled a report which will make for bleak reading for Anfield chiefs.