Liverpool unlikely to land Thomas Lemar or Virgil Van Dijk before transfer deadline passes Reds had hoped to secure double deal - but landing those targets increasingly looks beyond them SHARE COMMENTS BYJAMES PEARCE 17:18, 31 AUG 2017 SPORT

Liverpool are unlikely to make any further signings prior to tonight’s transfer deadline.

The Reds were keen to secure deals for Monaco attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar and Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, but landing those targets increasingly looks beyond them.

Despite the player being keen to move to Anfield, Liverpool were unable to agree terms with Monaco for Lemar prior to Arsenal making a late push for the France international with a bid of 100million Euros.

The situation was complicated by the fact that Lemar is playing for France against Holland in a World Cup qualifier tonight.

Liverpool had staff on standby ready to conduct a medical in Paris, but Lemar is now expected to stay at Monaco.

Arsenal had wanted Lemar as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez, but the Chilean attacker is now likely to remain at the Emirates rather than sign for Manchester City.

Southampton remain adamant that they won’t sell Van Dijk, who has been trying to force through a move to Liverpool all summer.