Liverpool are still on the hunt in the transfer market, aiming to bolster their squad and ensure a triumphant inaugural season for Arne Slot at Anfield.
After only securing the League Cup last season, Liverpool is keen to reinforce their team for their new Dutch manager during this transfer window.
The Jurgen Klopp era has drawn to a close, and with it departed some significant figures such as Joel Matip and Thiago, whose contracts expired this summer.
On the flip side, several big names have been associated with a move to Liverpool, including standout players from Euro 2024 and a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, should he depart the club at the end of his contract next year.
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1. Anthony Gordon
Gordon was strongly linked with a switch to his childhood club amidst Newcastle’s rush to offload players due to concerns they might violate the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules in June.
The player is reportedly valued at up to £100million, having only transferred from Liverpool’s local rivals Everton last January for an initial fee of £40million.
Currently representing England at Euro 2024, the initial move of the talented winger fell away after the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh alleviated Newcastle’s PSR worries. Liverpool also declined to entertain the swap offer for Jarell Quansah.
Gordon was last term’s standout performer for his club, bagging goals in four back-to-back home league matches. The 23-year-old is central to Eddie Howe’s strategy, and any swap deal notions were swiftly knocked back.
Gordon, however, appears open to new horizons, having chatted about the prospect of a Merseyside switch with his England squad mates during Euro 2024. Post-Euro discussions could reignite the transfer talks, but for now, Gordon’s Liverpool link-up is on a low heat.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Kvaratskhelia’s star turns at Euro 2024, coupled with his role in Napoli’s scudetto success last season, have kept him on Liverpool’s radar, especially with Salah’s Anfield exit on the cards.
With Salah’s storied tenure winding down as his contract ticks away, Liverpool are eyeing Kvaratskhelia as a potential heir. The Georgian ace has put off any transfer talk until after his Euro duties, stating: “I respect also Napoli, I love Napoli. I will decide my future after the Euros. Now I’m focused on the game vs Spain.”
After their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Spain, knocking them out of the competition, Georgia’s star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may be looking for a post-European Championships new home. Echoing this sentiment, the winger’s father and agent hinted at a possible move.
He said: “I don’t want people to think that Kvara wants to stay at Napoli. We want to leave, but we are waiting for the end of the Euros so as not to disturb Khvicha. The priority is a club in the Champions League.”
In congruence with this, the 23-year-old’s dad noted: “I don’t want my son to stay at Napoli. They changed three coaches last season, and it’s hard to play in a similar situation.”
Contrarily, brand-new Napoli boss Conte had diverging thoughts, asserting: “There are no doubts. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stays here and he will play for Napoli. There are no doubts, it’s all clear. Kvara will stay here with us.”
Securing such a deal was bound to come with its challenges given Kvaratskhelia’s immense value and Napoli’s desire to retain him, but a wingman seems to be a necessary consideration for fresh boss Slot to inject into his team.
3. Riccardo Calafiori.
Worthy of a record book mention is potent Italian prospect Riccardo Calafiori who gained significant attention during Italy’s subpar Euro 2024 run, attracting the interest of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
The Italian center-half, known for his assertive ball-playing skills, played a crucial role in Bologna’s Champions League qualification under the innovative guidance of Thiago Motta.
He has since arguably been Italy’s standout player during the group stages of this summer’s Euros, and was notably absent from their 2-0 defeat to Switzerland due to serving a one-match ban.
Liverpool boasted one of the most robust defenses in the Premier League last season, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and the stand-in Quansah proving to be quite solid.
However, with Van Dijk nearing 33, the urgency for a younger replacement is growing. New manager Slot might be eager to have a successor lined up for when the Dutchman’s performance begins to wane.
Securing the $51 million man amid fierce competition makes this deal a challenging one, but it’s clear that the club is keen to sign a center-half to strengthen their squad, particularly given Matip’s departure.
4. Ederson
This Brazilian Atalanta midfielder, not to be confused with the Manchester City goalkeeper, has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield.
Despite the arrivals of Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch last summer, it seems another midfielder is on the club’s shopping list.
One of the names previously linked with a move to Anfield, Ederson, recently opened up in an interview with AS about his future prospects: “If there has to be some kind of change, I trust my agents.
“I have an agent who has been with me for over 13 years, so the moment he thinks something positive is going to happen, he will tell me and we are in contact about that. If an offer comes, Atalanta will decide. If something comes up about a transfer, the club has to accept it first, and that is the most important thing.”
Ederson also expressed his strong ties with his current club, saying, “I have a good relationship with Atalanta, so the moment they come and tell me that they have some kind of offer, that will be when the talks start.”
His performances were key as Atalanta lifted the Europa League trophy last season, even outplaying Klopp’s Liverpool en route to their victory in Dublin.
Presently part of Brazil’s Copa America squad, Ederson could feature in a double pivot if Slot opts for such a formation. His addition would likely bring a sense of stability to the team, reminiscent of what Fabinho has provided in the past.
However, any potential deal for Ederson would have to be put on hold until after his international commitments, and he wouldn’t be a bargain buy for Liverpool looking to bolster their ranks this summer.
5. Jeremie Frimpong
On a less definitive note, Frimpong has found himself the subject of speculation linking him with a host of top European clubs following his impressive spell under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, where they achieved an unbeaten league run to clinch the title.
The $44.6 million buyout clause in the Dutchman’s contract has now expired, leading to a cooling of interest from several clubs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool could be in doubt as his contract is set to expire next season, potentially paving the way for a move for Frimpong.
Rumors of a move to Real Madrid began circulating when it became clear that a new contract offer was not forthcoming. If Liverpool were to lose one of their key players, Frimpong would be an excellent replacement.
While it may not be the most likely outcome, we could see Slot experimenting with Alexander-Arnold’s position. The Dutch coach might opt to play him in midfield, a role he performed for England during the Euros.
Frimpong would undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to Liverpool should Trent be displaced either financially or positionally, but this transfer remains more speculative than certain.