Slot eyes first Liverpool signing as FSG given lucrative Salah transfer option

Arne Slot will be determined to put his twist on the Liverpool squad this summer. The Reds have already been heavily linked with numerous big names but, for now, it remains to be seen whether or not John Henry will grant the Dutchman a war chest to bolster his team.

Last year, Liverpool forked out almost £200million on four midfielders; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. The year before last, Jurgen Klopp splashed the cash on Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo – two forwards – so perhaps the Reds may finally reshuffle their backline.

While Jarell Quansah enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough campaign, Virgil van Dijk sees his contract at Anfield expire in June 2025 and Joe Gomez predominantly featured at full-back. Wherever Slot chooses to improve this summer, he’ll want to stamp his mark in the side.

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So, with that being said, the Liverpool Echo has rounded up the latest Liverpool news and transfer gossip on Sunday, May 26.

Barcelona consider Liverpool ace

Liverpool have extinguished any last hope of Thiago Alcantara staying at the club. The 33-year-old midfielder will leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of next month.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, as quoted by the Mirror, Barcelona are considering an offer for Thiago despite pessimism about his ability to perform at the highest level among some club officials. The report adds that the Spaniard, who can also speak German, has been lined up due to Hansi Flick’s impending arrival as head coach.

Thiago featured just once for Liverpool this season, appearing in a five minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal in February. He announced his departure on social media last week with a heartwarming message which acknowledged the Kop’s incredible atmosphere.

Slot eyes first signing

Arne Slot appears to have identified his first signing as Liverpool manager. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool have joined Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Leny Yoro.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who sees his contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy expire in 2025, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to superstardom this season. Yoro featured 32 times in the French top flight, helping Paulo Fonseca’s side secure Europa League qualification.

“To me, the players don’t have age, they have quality,” said the Lille boss in an interview with BBC Sport in April. “Because here we don’t have the possibility to buy very expensive players, we find a way to make the young players grow.

“I believe Leny [Yoro] in the next year will be at one of the best clubs in Europe. He started here at 16 with us. He is very ambitious but very disciplined. He grew a lot but he is a kid with a big maturity, with big quality.

“He’s very focused, very concentrated, he wants to learn every day and I have no doubt in modern football he will be one of the best central defenders in the world.”

Salah transfer condition suggested

Liverpool has been urged to cash in on Mohamed Salah this summer, with his contract at Anfield set to expire next year. The 31-year-old forward, who has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia recently, will be free to leave the Reds in June 2025 once his deal runs out.

“What has he got? Is it 12 months left on his contract? So from a business point of view, now is the time to let him go,” said Paul Robinson on the Football Insider podcast. “You’re never going to get the £100million for him halfway through the season in January.

“If you’re looking at £100m for him now and if you think that you can recruit and build a squad with the players you’ve got and use that money to get a replacement then this is the time.

The former Premier League goalkeeper added: “If they want to get the money for him, he goes now, it’s as simple as that. But for him personally, I suspect it’s not a decision about money but if he waits another 12 months that £100m then goes into his wages.”