Liverpool transfer news is becoming more and more concrete as the window progresses. As yet, the Reds have not made their first signing under Arne Slot, but that could change sooner rather than later.
Though Chelsea is not best pleased about the prospect of losing young talent Rio Ngumoha, it appears that Liverpool is close to sealing that deal. That kind of move would set the tone for the recruitment strategy under the new-look structure, with Michael Edwards back in the FSG fold as CEO of football.
In that sense, the onus will be on Slot to prove he can follow Jurgen Klopp in giving young players a chance in the first team. But we won’t know that until the campaign gets underway, and there are still more transfer questions to resolve before then.
Some of the answers lie beyond Liverpool’s control. Leny Yoro, for instance, has attracted attention from a lot of big clubs this summer, most notably Real Madrid.
It seems we could know more about that particular situation by the end of this week. Liverpool, Manchester United and others will be on standby in the meantime.
Meanwhile, new sporting director Richard Hughes has to manage the outgoing column as well as any potential incoming deals. Liverpool has reportedly already fended off some bids this summer, with one player set to get a chance to impress Slot in the upcoming schedule of pre-season fixtures.
Keep an eye on the Liverpool.com live blog for all the latest transfer updates…
13:46Matt Addison
Saudi minister makes Mohamed Salah claim
Liverpool rejected a bid worth $192m (£150m/€177m) for Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah last summer. There was no appetite to lose the Reds’ star man.
A year on, there is even less reason to think he might want to make the move, even if the money on offer is enormous again. But the Saudi sports minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud has been speaking about Al-Ittihad’s pursuit of Salah.
“Al-Ittihad requested Salah, and the package was astronomical,” he said, via Ben Jacobs. “He was under contract and we [the Ministry of Sport] were not in direct negotiations. So we enquired to Liverpool and they said they had no desire to sell and so we ended the matter decisively.”
13:20Matt Addison
Cody Gakpo responds to position question
Arne Slot has already confirmed that he has a plan for Cody Gakpo at Liverpool, though the Dutch head coach refused to explain to the media what that might be.
And now, the player himself has admitted that Jurgen Klopp didn’t play him in his favored role. “I will play on the left wing at this tournament,” Gakpo said ahead of facing England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. “I also played a lot as a striker at Liverpool.
“I have always been a left winger so that’s always been my preference. But in the last one and a half years, the coach needed me to play somewhere else and that’s what I tried to do at my best.”
12:53Matt Addison
Diogo Jota ‘must have been frustrated to miss out at Euro 2024’
The latest episode of The Overlap was released earlier today and the panel have been having their say on Cristiano Ronaldo, who was ultimately holding Portugal back at Euro 2024.
“When you look at them from defense to attack…” Ian Wright said, hinting at how much talent there was to be unlocked. But, he added: “Apart from the Ronaldo.”
“Does he retire now?” Gary Neville chimed in.
“I think the way he played at this Euro’s, despite how great he has been, surely Diogo Jota must be disappointed that he can’t get on that pitch,” the Arsenal legend answered diplomatically.
12:37Matt Addison
Steven Gerrard wants to sign Lionel Messi
Steven Gerrard has admitted that his dream signing for Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League would be Lionel Messi, who is, of course, currently with Inter Miami in MLS.
“It’s a dream for me to have Messi at Al Ettifaq,” he admitted to MBC Masr 2. “He is an incredible player and would be a great asset for the club. I know it’s difficult for him to move to Saudi Arabia, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.”
11:40Matt Addison
FSG ‘in talks to buy Bordeaux’
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the Liverpool owner, could be looking to France as it looks to expand its soccer portfolio. Local outlet France Bleu reports that FSG is “very serious” about acquiring Ligue 2 outfit Bordeaux.
It is suggested that “exclusive discussions” have been held with the French side about a deal. Three representatives from Boston are said to have traveled to France to meet with the DNCG — the “financial policeman of French football” — in order to ratify any prospective deal. John W Henry and Julian Ward have supposedly been involved in explorations.
While there is “no binding offer” from FSG, it is said that “negotiations are continuing on the financial front” and an initial investment of $45m (£35m/€42m) will be made to ensure Bordeaux can participate in Ligue 2 for 2024/25. This comes with the club under threat of demotion to the Championnat National — the third tier of French football — due to long-standing debt.
Current Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez would remain involved with the club, it is said. Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera is currently in charge of the club as head coach.
11:05Key Event
Liverpool chases Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool could continue its pattern of snapping up some of the best young talent around the country as the Reds chase a deal for 15-year-old Chelsea winger Rio Ngumoha. (Full story: HERE).
Ngumoha has been described as one of the best players in his age group by those who have watched him regularly. He has represented England at U16 level and would sign as a scholar at Anfield if a deal is concluded. The Reds have a strict wage structure in place for academy prospects and it is understood that this will not be broken.
Chelsea is “furious” at the prospect of losing such a highly rated prospect, the Daily Mail reports. But Liverpool would simply be reaping the rewards of similar moves in the past proving there is a proper pathway.
The Reds’ signings last year included the hugely talented Trey Nyoni from Leicester City, who made the bench for the Carabao Cup final (against Chelsea, of course) just a move months after arriving at Anfield as a 16-year-old.
10:35Matt Addison
Joao Gomes is “one to watch” for Liverpool
As well as left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, Liverpool is also being linked with a transfer move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes this summer.
According to Ben Jacobs, Gomes is a player that the Reds admire. The 23-year-old has made a positive impression since joining the Premier League side.
“Midfield is not as high on their list of priorities as a center-back and wide player,” Jacobs said. “But I don’t think we can entirely rule it out. Liverpool really like Joao Gomes as well, so that could be one to watch in the coming months. But for now, midfield is not the priority.”
10:00Matt Addison
Real Madrid “progressing” in Leny Yoro talks
Further to that last update, The Athletic reports that talks are “progressing” for Real Madrid to sign Liverpool-admired Leny Yoro this summer. An agreement could be struck for around $43m (£34m/€40m).
If Real Madrid cannot agree a deal with Lille in this window for the 18-year-old wonderkid, then it is suggested that he would simply wait a year and let his contract run down. Personal terms will not be an issue.
Liverpool would make a move if it became plausible that a deal to bring him to Anfield could happen. But the chances of that occurring appear to be slim.
Yoro was left out of France’s squad for the Olympic Games at the end of last week. He played 44 times for Lille last season as he established himself as one of the best up-and-coming talents in the game.
09:31James Martin
Leny Yoro progress expected this week
It’s all gone a little bit quiet on the Leny Yoro front. He’s believed to prefer Real Madrid over other suitors such as Liverpool, but the Spanish giant is yet to reach any agreement with Lille.
However, the Daily Briefing reports that the deal should pick up pace in the coming days. Real Madrid has “sped up talks” with the French club, and a conclusion should be reached this week or next week.
Although “English sides” are offering more than Real Madrid, the player’s preference remains clear. And with Lille scared of losing him for nothing next year, it’s expected that common ground will be found regarding the fee.
09:05James Martin
Liverpool rejects Sepp van den Berg bids
Liverpool has already turned down multiple bids for defender Sepp van den Berg, reports The Athletic. Mainz and Wolfsburg have both been knocked back.
PSV has also shown an interest in the Dutchman. Liverpool maintains a $26m (£20m/€24m) valuation, but has decided to hand him the chance to impress Arne Slot.
It’s claimed he has already caught Slot’s eye in the early days of pre-season. He could now “stay put” as a result, although he will continue to be assessed over the course of the US tour.
08:34Key Event
Karim Adeyemi wanted
Liverpool, Chelsea, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested in signing 22-year-old Borussia Dortmund and Germany winger Karim Adeyemi this summer, according to Sky Germany.
Dortmund is willing to cash in on the player for a fee of $32m (£26m/€30m) or more because Adeyemi, who scored only five goals last season, had an inconsistent campaign. While there is interest lingering in the background, no club has made a concrete move yet.
08:08Matt Addison
Liverpool makes counter offer
Nat Phillips is a wanted man this summer and Liverpool wants $10.3m (£8.0m/€9.5m) to let him leave, according to The Athletic. Turkish side Trabzonspor has made a bid worth around half of that which has been rejected.
Burnley and clubs in the Championship are also interested in Phillips. At the age of 27, he really needs to find a permanent home where he can really thrive and play regular soccer.
07:34Key Event
Joao Neves ‘talks held’
The Portuguese outlet O Jogo reports that Liverpool, among other several clubs, has spoken with Benfica regarding 19-year-old wonderkid Joao Neves.
The young midfielder has a $130m (£102m/€120m) release clause written into his contract though any interested party would try and negotiate on that price.
As highly rated as he is in his homeland, no one will be paying the full sum this summer. Manchester United has also been strongly linked with a move for the teenager.
07:11Key Event
Chelsea “furious” over Rio Ngumoha
Chelsea is “furious” at the prospect of losing Rio Ngumoha, reports the Daily Mail. The 15-year-old is considered one of the best talents anywhere in his age group.
Liverpool is “closing in” on signing Ngumoha. In more good news for the Reds, it is “unlikely” that they will be breaking their strict Academy wage structure to complete the deal, contrary to earlier reports.
Instead, Ngumoha has been tempted by the clear route to minutes on offer at Liverpool, with the pathway best exemplified by the win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last season. The teenager has already represented the Blues’ under-21 side.
07:07Matt Addison
Good morning!
Hello and welcome along to today’s Liverpool FC live blog. We’ll have all the latest, and, of course, the Euro 2024 semi-finals begin later this evening. Spain vs France should be a good one! Stick with us.