Liverpool transfer news - Luka Vuskovic link and intriguing Real Madrid development emerge

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Liverpool, for their part, have been busy bees already - breaking Geordie hearts again with a late swoop for Victor Munoz and locked in negotiations with RB Leipzig for World Cup star Yan Diomande.The speedy winger will be in action for Ivory Coast again tonight (Thursday, June 25), this time at a far-more-socially-acceptable 9pm for British viewers, so there's no excuse not to keep an eye on how he gets on against the unfancied minnows of Curacao.Diomande's World Cup performances have only added to the hype around the 19-year-old so far, and you can't really blame Leipzig for wanting to milk envious onlookers for everything they've got.Though rumours (emanating from French outlet Media Foot) have circulated this week that the Reds already have personal terms agreed with teenager, Liverpool remain short of Leipzig's hefty €130m (£112m) valuation (The Athletic), which seems to be going up every time he kicks a ball in the tournament.Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala and Matias Fernandez-Pardo are said to be the next in line if Richard Hughes and Co fail in getting a deal over the line - the latter two of which will send shivers down Newcastle United spines as the Magpies have identified them as alternative targets after missing out on Munoz.Whatever happens, the next two months are going to be hectic - and we'll be here throughout to round up the latest gossip and rumours in the Liverpool transfer news column....Vuskovic 'a natural fit' for Liverpool defensive rebuildTottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic could be the man - or, ahem, boy - to replace Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool's first-choice partner for Virgil van Dijk, if a new report from CaughtOffside is to be believed.The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at Hamburg and looked every bit the part of a future world-class defender, ranking in the top 10% of Bundesliga defenders for duels and aerial duels won, defensive contributions and clearances - as well as popping up with six goals including a ridiculous scorpion kick against Werder Bremen.Brighton & Hove have already made their case to the Croatian and have bid £45m (Sky Sports) as they look to replace the Spurs-bound Jan Paul van Hecke, but the report claims that Liverpool and Manchester United could yet enter the race.Agents industry sources have told CaughtOffside that Tottenham have no intention of accepting less than £60m for Vuskovic with another four years remaining on his contract, but Liverpool could be among the clubs to monitor his situation if a move starts to look like a possibility.This definitely smacks of speculation at this stage, and probably for good reason. There's no doubting Vuskovic's potential, but do the Reds really need to be splashing on another defender for the future with Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni already in situ?Arguably, if Liverpool do look to sign another centre-back this summer it should be someone with experience to reduce the pressure on the club's existing young prospects.No return to the table for wantaway AlvarezLiverpool were linked with Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez last summer ahead of wrapping up a blockbuster deal for Alexander Isak, and it's easy to see why he was many supporters' preferred choice.The former Manchester City man's dynamic playing style has suited Diego Simeone's aggressive Atletico team and he plundered 17 goals in his first season in Madrid.Alvarez's second season wasn't quite as impressive, only managing eight goals and four assists, but he has continued to attract prestigious suitors and has already been the subject of bids from rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer.Atletico are digging their heels in, despite Alvarez's public courting of Barca.

In response to the Blaugrana's initial proposal last month, Atletico's official X account joked that they would be launching their own bid for Lamine Yamal: "We have sent a fax to FC Barcelona with our transfer offer: 4 tickets for tomorrow's Bad Bunny concert, an annual subscription to ABC, and a bag of sunflower seeds. Spanish outlet Sport broke the news of Camavinga's availability a few days earlier on Sunday, and claimed his price tag sits at a doable €60m (£51.7m).Both are definitely ones to keep an eye on, especially if any moves for Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister end up materialising.Liverpool 'preparing a bid' for right-backTake this one with a pinch of salt, but the player in question fits the bill for the kind of signing Liverpool might look to make if they opt to bring in a reinforcement at right-back.According to Sportsboom, via Givemesport, "an offer is now being prepared" (whatever that means) for Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu.The 28-year-old Romanian joined the Spanish capital's resident ankle-biters in the same summer as Andoni Iraola left for Bournemouth and has impressed as Rayo have continued to punch above their weight, reaching the Conference League final last season.In terms of a profile, he's got the goods: four LaLiga assists to show for strong chance creation numbers across the season, also completing 2.02 dribbles per game to provide a constant source of menace down the Spanish side's right flank.At 6ft tall too, he's a right-back not dissimilar to Iraola himself in his pomp at Athletic Club.

If Liverpool were going to look for an experienced option to plug the gap, they could do a lot worse than Ratiu, but he could still cost £25-30m with four years left on his current deal.Other reports todayCody Gakpo may have faced accusations from some supporters last season that he received preferential treatment from compatriot Arne Slot, but the Dutchman's response when asked about the differences between his role for the Netherlands and the one he played at Liverpool last season might suggest otherwise. Liverpool.com reports the U18 pair, who are two of the club's "brightest prospects", are set to make the move - losing them to a rival is a bitter blow.Former Liverpool winger Craig Bellamy looked set to take the reins as Burnley manager, but The Athletic have now reported that the deal has collapsed.