Liverpool news and transfers LIVE – Alexis Mac Allister latest as Youri Tielemans confirms Leicester exit

Liverpool have been granted a cheap alternative to their big-money midfield targets as Yorui Tielemans has announced his Leicester City exit on a free transfer.

On Instagram, the Belgian told supporters: “Dear Leicester fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club.

“From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.

“Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we’ve shared many special moments together.

“I am forever grateful for your unwavering support, thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home.

“This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell. With pride, love and eternal gratitude, Youri Tielemans.”

The ECHO understands Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton remains the transfer priority, while efforts have been undertaken behind the scenes to sound out Chelsea’s Mason Mount and, though Jorg Schmadtke will officially get to work on June 1, there has been ample groundwork laid by those already at the club to ensure Klopp gets the right players through the door this summer.

Before that happens, however, Schmadtke will have to get used to a whole new level of scrutiny and interest.

Khephren Thuram has insisted he is “happy” at Nice despite reported interest from Liverpool.

A stellar campaign in a mid-table Nice side has resulted in the midfielder being linked with a host of European heavyweights. It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is aiming to bolster his engine room, with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain playing their last game for the club.

Valued at £50million, Thuram has two years left on his current deal and Nice may choose to cash in now to receive optimal value for their asset. A tall, powerful midfielder, the Frenchman has been described as a more competitive version of compatriot Paul Pogba.

“I want to progress, go on the field, have fun,” Thuram said. “For now, I’m in Nice. It’s going very well. I really like the club, so I still see myself in Nice. I am very well in Nice.

“There are noises, I hear, but I’m happy in Nice. I hope to grow with this club. I would like him (Didier Digard, manager) to stay because he brought a lot to this group when it was in a difficult period.

“I don’t know if I tell him enough but he’s someone I can never thank enough. He helped me a lot in difficult times in my young career. We worked a lot together. I wish him only happiness, in Nice, or elsewhere.”