Liverpool are persisting with their £74m pursuit of Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, having already signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal for around £40m, in what is set to be their biggest ever transfer window.

Although the Anfield club had initially been weighing up which of the two to go for as they also maintain an interest in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, it was decided over the course of Wednesday afternoon to continue trying to sign Lemar.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has been keen to greatly deepen the squad after last season’s title challenge faded amid absences after Christmas, with this season also bringing the added complication of a Champions League campaign, so has been keen to bring in both.

How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar Show all 11 1 /11 How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar GK - Simon Mignolet Getty How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold SINSHEIM, GERMANY - AUGUST 15: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool at the end of the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Play-Offs Round First Leg match between 1899 Hoffenheim and Liverpool FC at Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena on August 15, 2017 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar LB - Andrew Robertson Getty How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CB - Joel Matip Getty How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CB - Virgil van Dijk NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CM - Naby Keita LEIPZIG, GERMANY - AUGUST 27: Naby Keita of Leipzig passes the ball during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Sport-Club Freiburg at Red Bull Arena on August 27, 2017 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Ronny Hartmann/Bongarts/Getty Images) Bongarts/Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CM - Jordan Henderson (c) Getty How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CM - Thomas Lemar MONACO - MAY 03: Thomas Lemar of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between AS Monaco v Juventus at Stade Louis II on May 3, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar RW - Mo Salah LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores the third and celebrates during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 27, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar CF - Roberto Firmino Getty How Liverpool could line up with Keita, Van Dijk and Lemar LW - Sadio Mane Getty

Monaco have already brought in a potential alternative to Lemar in Keita Balde from Lazio, and Liverpool now feel they can get a deal done for the 21-year-old winger for cash plus Divock Origi, with the total value coming to around £74m.

There had been reports of tentative interest from Barcelona in Lemar, but that has been seen as no more than posturing because of the Catalan club’s own ongoing pursuit of Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool however remain steadfast that Coutinho will not be allowed leave the club this summer.