Liverpool could yet win a treble this season, but Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are still expected to be busy when the summer transfer window opens.
Indeed, work has already begun. With some key contracts running down and some areas of the Liverpool roster that could be further improved, it could be a vital period. By that point, the Reds could be looking to retain a Premier League title.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds on Friday. Another midfielder is being linked — having come up a few times in the past — plus there is supposed interest in a Spanish wonderkid.
Ederson (Atalanta)
He hasn’t been linked with a move to Liverpool for a while now, but Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson has returned to the transfer gossip columns. Juventus is supposedly keen on the player, but is concerned that the Reds, Manchester United and Manchester City are also in for the 25-year-old and could therefore win the race when the next window opens.
Juventus is set to take on Atalanta in Serie A this weekend. According to Tuttosport, having signed Teun Koopmeiners from the same club last summer, the Old Lady will use the opportunity to talk to its Italian rival about another deal, this time for $65M-rated Ederson.
Liverpool.com says: Ederson wasn’t of interest to the Reds last summer and so it seems unlikely he now would be. Martin Zubimendi was unsuccessfully chased but Ryan Gravenberch has since emerged as the ideal solution.
Jesus Rodriguez (Real Betis)
Liverpool and Chelsea are among the possible suitors for Real Betis wonderkid Jesus Rodriguez, according to the Daily Mail. The 19-year-old has a release clause worth $54 million written into his contract with the La Liga side.
A pacy winger, Rodriguez has scored one goal in 10 appearances at senior level so far. Liverpool would be likelier to target a more proven option, while Chelsea has had mixed success with recent young attacking signings, including the likes of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Liverpool.com says: For the Reds to make a move for an attacker, especially at this price, there needs to be much more evidence of him scoring goals in big volumes. Perhaps that might happen in the future, but for now any Liverpool interest is likely only to be from afar.
