Liverpool has been linked with a transfer for Lille defender Leny Yoro. But it must once again go toe-to-toe with Real Madrid if it is to complete the move, with the Spanish giant up to its usual antics.
Meanwhile, former Reds striker Roberto Firmino has made a change to his appearance, marking the new look with a goal. Here’s the latest Liverpool news.
Real Madrid tells Leny Yoro to wait for transfer
Liverpool is expected to strengthen in defense this summer, with Joël Matip leaving on a free transfer and Virgil van Dijk set to turn 33. New manager Arne Slot has options to call on, including the hugely promising Jarell Quansah following his breakthrough season, but business is nonetheless likely.
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Yoro is a name that has been increasingly mentioned, but the Lille prospect is certainly in demand. Real Madrid and PSG are among the sides chasing the physically imposing teenager, who has been a regular in Ligue 1 this season.
And Liverpool will need to beat its recent Real Madrid hoodoo if it is to seal the deal, because the club from the Spanish capital has reportedly made its move. According to Foot Mercato, it has made a low offer of just $33m (£26m/€30m) plus bonuses, but urged the player to stay ‘calm’ and wait for a deal to be struck.
Liverpool has lost out over Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the last couple of years. While it’s hard to imagine Lille ever accepting such a low offer for Yoro, there’s no doubting the pull of Real Madrid, and it looks to be putting its strategy to work already.
Roberto Firmino ends the season with a goal and a new look
It’s been a curious season for Roberto Firmino in Saudi Arabia. He kicked things off with a hat-trick on his league debut for new club Al-Ahli, but proceeded to go on a long scoring drought.
Having broken that unwanted streak, he went on a little run of goal involvements, before another lengthy wait to find the net again. But Firmino has ended the season strongly, and scored the only goal in Al-Ahli’s final match of the campaign.
Like Liverpool, his side was already destined to finish third long before the final day, comfortably behind Al-Nassr (where Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané play) and runaway league winner Al-Hilal. But Firmino made sure the season was bookended with goals, netting in the 85th minute against Al-Feiha.
He did so while sporting a new look. In a post from Al-Ahli’s English-speaking X account, Firmino is pictured scoring the first and last goals of the season. In the second photo, he can be seen wearing his hair in braids.
That follows a similarly major change in hairstyle from his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah this week. The Egyptian has undergone a drastic trim, sharing a photo that shows a far closer shave than usual.