Liverpool transfer targets: Who the Reds are looking to sign this summer
- Arne Slot has replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool's manager
- Slot set to give his squad time to impress in pre-season
- Centre-back and wide forward to be prioritised
A new dawn beckons on the red side of Merseyside as Arne Slot takes on the unenviable task of continuing Jurgen Klopp's stellar work.
Klopp's Liverpool farewell was understandably prolonged, and while the German won't be forgotten in a hurry at Anfield, the Reds must move on now that Slot's in town.
Champions League-winning boss Klopp attempted to oversee a mini-rebuild last summer off the back of an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign, but Liverpool's stuttering conclusion to a once incredibly promising season highlighted the work that still needs to be done on the recruitment front.
Slot and company are in for a busy summer as they seek to build upon the sturdy foundations left by the previous regime.
Positions Liverpool need to strengthen this summer
This Liverpool squad certainly doesn't require an overhaul, and they're deep in most positions. Several academy stars depicted their worth last season, too.
There's expected to be movement at centre-back with Joel Matip departing as a free agent. Virgil van Dijk isn't going to be around forever, and while young Jarell Quansah performed superbly when called upon, there were concerns over Ibrahima Konate's form down the stretch. Thus, the club could seek a cover option this summer.
The Reds struggled to acquire their preferred holding midfielder last summer, eventually settling for Stuttgart stalwart Wataru Endo. The experienced operator enjoyed a fine debut season, but this may be a position Liverpool will feel they need to upgrade. Slot could perhaps use Trent Alexander-Arnold in his midfield pivot alongside Alexis Mac Allister, although England's experiment at Euro 2024 could change his plans.
In attack, Liverpool need a Mohamed Salah succession plan and they could go after a wide forward. While the Egyptian is set to stay on Merseyside for another season at least, the Reds need someone capable of sharing minutes with their talisman. With serious concerns over Luis Diaz's future too, Slot may be gifted a shiny new attacker.
Liverpool's confirmed transfer targets
it's all been fairly quiet on the potential incomings front thus far. While Liverpool are set to prioritise moves for a wide forward and a centre-back this summer, the profiles they're after have not yet become clear.
Liverpool's search for a new wide forward may have found its target. Discussions between the Reds and Newcastle for Anthony Gordon have taken place, although a switch now looks increasingly unlikely. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could leave Napoli this summer and the Reds have been linked with a move for him too, while Athletic Club's Nico Williams is a possible option after impressing at Euro 2024.
If Liverpool are to add a new holding midfielder to their ranks, they could do a lot worse than Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. The German international looks likely to leave this summer and the Reds are among his many suitors. After impressing en route to Europa League glory last term, Atalanta midfielder Ederson has also reportedly caught Liverpool's eye.
Sporting CP's left-footed centre-back Goncalo Inacio is another name to keep an eye on. He's been linked with a move away from Portugal for the past couple of years, and now may be the time Inacio takes the next step in his career. Leny Yoro is another target but may make the move to Real Madrid instead, while Marc Guehi and Riccardo Calafiori are both interesting the Reds.
Liverpool transfer rumours
- Man Utd's hopes of signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte have been complicated by interest from Liverpool, who are looking to hijack any deal for the Uruguay international. (Date: 1 July; Source: TEAMtalk)
- Liverpool are ready to return to the negotiating table for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon with a bid worth £50m plus goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Date: 1 July; Source: TEAMtalk)
- Liverpool are expected to beat Barcelona to the signature of Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich because of their ability to offer a higher wage packet to the Germany international.(Date: 1 July; Source: SPORT - Spain)
- Liverpool are eyeing a move for Georgia's Euro 2024 goalkeeper hero Giorgi Mamardashvili, with Alisson still a transfer target for the Saudi Pro League. (Date: 30 June; Source: Radio Marca - Spain)
- Kingsley Coman fears he may not have a future at Bayern Munich and intermediaries have held talks with Liverpool over a summer transfer. (Date: 29 June; Source: HITC)
- Liverpool are leading the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.(Date: 28 June; Source: Abdel Hamad)
- Another centre-back that Liverpool are monitoring is Murillo, who could be sold by Nottingham Forest in order to ease their financial concerns. (Date: 26 June; Source: Football Insider)
- Liverpool are weighing up whether to join Manchester United in the race to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. The Reds' new head coach, Arne Slot, is an admirer of the forward. (Date: 25 June; Source: Caught Offside)
- Real Madrid's stance on signing Lille's Leny Yoro has not changed, and the teenager has knocked back approaches from Man Utd and Liverpool already this summer. (Date: 24 June; Source: MARCA - Spain)
- Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has given his approval for his new side to try and bring in Nico Williams, but Chelsea deem the Spaniard's €58m release clause plus additional costs too high. (Date: 24 June; Source: Caught Offside / Fabrizio Romano)
- Arsenal and Liverpool will battle it out for versatile defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who worked under Slot at Feyenoord. (Date: 24 June; Source: Fichajes - Spain)
- Liverpool and Real Madrid have reached out and made contact with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, with a number of other unnamed Premier League clubs also interested.(Date: 23 June; Source: Sportitalia)
- Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz a target for the Reds. Arne Slot's side are willing to pay a little over £40m for the Morocco international. (Date: 22 June; Source: Fichajes - Spain)
Who Liverpool could sell this summer
Veterans Matip and Thiago Alcantara are out the door, but Slot will likely give the remainder of his squad time to impress before decisions are made over their futures.
Nevertheless, Luis Diaz is a player the Reds could part ways with for a big fee. The dogged Colombian impressed last season having burst on to the Premier League scene, but questions remain over his end product. He's certainly not irreplaceable.
Alisson has also garnered Saudi Pro League interest, but the Reds won't want to lose their superstar goalkeeper. Caoimhin Kelleher's exit is more likely as he searches for regular first-team minutes, while third-choice stopper Adrian is set for a move to boyhood club Real Betis.
Joe Gomez's form at left-back further shoved Kostas Tsimikas down the pecking order, and while the Greek international recently signed a new contract, Liverpool would likely accept a reasonable offer for his services this summer.
There could be loan deals for young Tyler Morton, Bobby Clark and James McConnell in midfield as well.
