Liverpool are reportedly in the hunt to sign a new big-name attacker this summer – and Jurgen Klopp plans to offer a somewhat-forgotten Reds favourite in part exchange to drive down the asking price.
The Reds are struggling to replicate their best form this season and currently sit seventh in the Premier League. They have also lost their grip on both domestic cups, with Manchester United on Sunday succeeding them as Carabao Cup winners. Worst still, the Red Devils are also poised to reclaim one of four Champions League spots – with Liverpool now nine points off the pace.
And while they do have two games in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham, Klopp knows the value of having points on the board.
Their last remaining hope of silverware lies in the Champions League. However, a 5-2 home defeat to Real Madrid means the odds are stacked against Liverpool ahead of the return.
As a result of their struggles, a major summer rebuild is on the cards.
To that end, Danny Murphy has suggested they need to move on six players this summer.
Klopp is also expected to put a lot of focus on strengthening both his midfield and his defence. To that end, Jude Bellingham remains their No 1 target this summer.
However, securing his signature is likely to be tough with competition as fierce as ever for the Dortmund teenager.
With six attackers on the club’s books, that is one area they probably do not need to strengthen.
Having signed Cody Gakpo in January, Jurgen Klopp has a plethora of options at his disposal. And with Roberto Firmino also expected to soon sign a contract extension, Klopp is extremely well blessed in the attacking department.
Liverpool keen on Rafael Leao swoop
Yet, Calciomercatoweb claims Klopp is still keen on further attacking reinforcements this summer. And the Italian outlet claims they are sniffing out a move for much-heralded AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese star is regarded as one of Serie A’s top talents, having helped them to title glory last season. He has nine goals and eight assists from 30 appearances this season, establishing himself as one of the best in Italy.
But with a deal due to expire in summer 2024, Milan have been frantically trying to tie the 23-year-old down to a new deal.
However, those talks are yet to see an agreement reached. And with time ticking down on his deal, Milan may need to move him on this summer if an agreement has not been reached.
Leao has long been a target for Chelsea, with Todd Boehly a massive fan. However, their signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk in January may likely mean their priorities lie elsewhere.
And that could well open the door for Liverpool, according to the reports.
Despite having just 16 months left on his deal, Milan value the player at the £132m (€150m) mark. That is way beyond what Liverpool would be willing to spend.
Klopp willing to sacrifice Luis Diaz – report
However, the report claims Klopp is willing to sacrifice Colombian forward Luis Diaz in part exchange and to drive down the fee.
Diaz has been outstanding at Anfield since his move from FC Porto. Indeed, he has 10 goals and six assists in 38 appearances since arriving in January 2022.
However, after suffering a knee injury at Arsenal back in October, Diaz has yet to appear since.
Indeed, that has kept him on the sidelines for much longer than initially expected. And his drive and incision has been much missed by Liverpool in that time. To that end, his absence is perhaps what convinced Klopp to move for Cody Gakpo in January.
Despite his lenghty absence, it would surely come as a massive surprise were Liverpool to sacrifice Diaz. Klopp rates the player highly and very much has a big future on Merseyside.
Costing an initial £37.5m, with an additional £12.5m in add-ons, Diaz has looked every inch a Liverpool player since signing.
Furthermore, Milan’s valuation of Leao surely makes his signing too steep for the Reds.
That said, Klopp will likely let an attacker depart Anfield this summer to generate some additional income. Quite who that will be remains to be seen.
