Liverpool will let winger Sheyi Ojo leave on loan and North East rivals Middlesbrough and Newcastle United are both at the front of the queue.
A loan move away from Anfield appears the most logical solution for Sheyi Ojo. After making his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp in 2015/16, opportunities proved much more difficult to come by last season.
He played just twice all season, in the 0-0 FA Cup draw with Plymouth Argyle at Anfield and then the 1-0 replay victory a week later.
Klopp rates Sheyi Ojo highly despite using him sparingly last season
Despite the permanent signing of Christian Atsu from Chelsea, Benitez is understood to want more quality on the wings, especially with the out-of-contract Yoan Gouffran haggling over a new deal.
However, The Times report that they will have competition from local rivals Middlesbrough. New Boro boss Garry Monk has the backing of chairman Steve Gibson as he attempts to guide the North East outfit back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
And attacking additions are a must at The Riverside, particularly when you consider that Boro were the lowest scorers in the top flight last season with a measly 27.
Liverpool would surely prefer Ojo to get some Premier League football under his belt but the 20-year-old England youth international could benefit from honing his trade under Monk, who demonstrated at Leeds United a penchant for helping fresh-faced talents unleash their potential.
New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk is thinking big in the transfer market
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