New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was keen to stress during his first interview with club staff that the squad he inherits is a strong one. But there is certainly room for it to be further improved in the transfer market.
High on the agenda in the eyes of most people should be a central defender after the exit of Joel Matip while a holding midfielder would be ideal too. Even if Liverpool keeps all of its current attackers, adding an extra forward option would be no bad thing either.
READ MORE: Leny Yoro transfer ‘agreed’ after Liverpool interest and Real Madrid decision
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Leny Yoro move ‘agreed’, Nico Williams latest, Man Utd likes Calafiori
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with more news on Nico Williams, who is impressing for Spain while at the European Championship in Germany.
Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
Liverpool and Barcelona have both been linked with moves for Spain forward Nico Williams this summer after an impression campaign in La Liga with Athletic Club. Now, Caught Offside reports that Arne Slot has given the ‘green light’ for a move to be made for the 21-year-old, who picked up a goal or an assist every 101 minutes last season in all competitions.
The new Liverpool home shirt for the 2024/2025 season features a chrome yellow pattern design and is a modern take on the legendary ’84 home shirt – a season which saw the Reds become European Champions for the fourth time in Rome and the first English Club to win a treble of major honours. You can buy it now.
Nevertheless, Williams has sought to play down rumors that he could move on. The forward’s contract contains a release clause that means he can move for a fee of around $63m (£49m/€58m). “I’ve just signed new deal at Athletic few weeks ago,” Williams said yesterday. “I feel very good there. I’m very happy at Athletic. It’s very strange to receive questions on my future.”
Liverpool.com says: If Williams is on the market he will have no shortage of options based on his Euro 2024 form. But for the Reds, a move would only make sense if Luis Diaz moved on, with Barcelona interested in him too.
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
It wouldn’t be a summer transfer window without Liverpool being linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Who had June 23 in the sweepstake? Sport Italia has delivered early in the summer this time around.
It reports that Rabiot is increasingly likely to leave Juventus as a free agent during the transfer window and the Reds could be an option. Just like every other year, though, they almost certainly won’t be.
Liverpool.com says: Rabiot is a decent enough player but he isn’t the type of signing that the Reds should be looking at. There is a near-zero chance he is even under any sort of consideration.