Liverpool might be busy pursuing what one reporter had the nerve to call the “mini treble” on the pitch, but there is still time for transfer preparations ahead of the summer. The Reds are likely to be busier than they were last year, and talks may even have already been held with one Bundesliga forward.
While Arne Slot and Richard Hughes have been vindicated in favoring continuity, there is little doubt that the policy will have to change in the upcoming transfer window. Liverpool could be especially busy if the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are not resolved.
And even if Salah stays, the front line looks ripe for a shake-up. Aside from the Egyptian, Cody Gakpo is the only one to have fully convinced under Slot, with rumors circulating about the futures of all the other senior forwards.
It would be a surprise to see Diogo Jota move on, but his form has dropped off recently, something he can ill-afford when his poor injury record already counts against him. Likewise, Luis Diaz has impressed in patches, but is yet to really show Slot enough end product — amid persistent links to Barcelona.
And then there is Darwin Nunez, the potential record signing for whom Liverpool finally appears to have run out of patience. Still serenaded by Anfield at times, his chant has taken on an increasingly consolatory tone, with goals in desparately short supply.
All things considered, then, it would be a major surprise if Liverpool did not sign a new forward. Which brings us to the latest links to Mohamed Amoura of Wolfsburg.
According to Sport Witness, Liverpool is a “known admirer”. And while Eintracht Frankfurt has also followed Amoura, it is not currently plotting a deal, believing a price that could rise to $43 million would be out of its budget.
(Image: Max Ellerbrake – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Liverpool, of course, could easily afford such a transfer fee, potentially giving it a free run at the deal. And it’s been claimed the Reds have even got as far as holding talks with Amoura’s camp over a potential move.
The Algerian has 31 caps for his country, scoring eight goals. And he has been prolific in the Bundesliga this season, scoring nine times and registering eight assists.
Amoura is technically not even a Wolsfburg player yet, with his loan from Beligan side Union SG set to be made permanent at the end of the campaign. But after parting with around $16m, the Bundesliga outfit could immediately look to almost triple its money.
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A creator as much as a scorer, and diligent in his defensive work, Liverpool may be having flashbacks to another forward signed from the Bundesliga by the name of Roberto Firmino. Using a less scientific measure, North African attackers named Mohamed have also tended to do alright at Anfield.
At 24, Amoura has plenty of time to develop further, and would do so naturally in a team full of world class players. It would be fascinating to see him under Slot.
But Liverpool cannot bank on a free run forever — Frankfurt is not the only other alternative destination, and even it might end up with the funds to do a deal, with the future of its own striker Hugo Ekitike up in the air (and a big fee for Omar Marmoush already secured). If it is genuinely keen on a deal, then Hughes should be using this window of opportunity wisely.
