Liverpool youngster James McConnell is close to signing a new long-term deal at the club and going out on loan for the season.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who played several times for the first team last year and made a lasting impression on boss Arne Slot, is missing from the pre-season tour of Asia with a minor injury.
It is understood that the pain is just a knock suffered in training and he will have treatment on it this week — with the decision made not to travel to Hong Kong or Japan due to the fact the flight could exacerbate symptoms. He should be fine again in around a week.
McConnell has interest from Ipswich, West Brom and Derby in the Championship for a loan deal, while German Bundesliga clubs have also posted their desire to sign him.
Some of those teams have proposed an option to buy clause in the deal but Liverpool are believed to not want to sell McConnell as Slot is a big fan.
In January, the Dutch manager blocked McConnell’s exit as he saw him as part of his plans after shining in a Champions League game away at PSV Eindhoven.
Liverpool youngster James McConnell is close to signing a new long-term deal at the club
It is understood Liverpool manager Arne Slot is a big fan of the 20-year-old midfielder
The Reds have reached an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt over the signing of Hugo Ekitike
McConnell joined the club from Sunderland as a teenager and has played as a No 6 since breaking into the first-team picture.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have struck a deal to sign highly-rated striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth up to £79million.
The Reds had been locked in negotiations with the German side after poaching Newcastle’s top target. Ekitike only wanted Liverpool and is set to complete a medical in the coming days.
The package is a £69m base fee plus £10m in add-ons which are based on team and player performance. The Frenchman has joined on a six-year deal and he will undergo his medical on Tuesday.
