It sounds like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are definitely staying, but that doesn’t mean Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only player who is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer.
It emerged on Wednesday that Liverpool is confident of keeping hold of its two most experienced players, with Salah and Van Dijk both expected to sign two-year extensions at Anfield.
The news is particularly welcome as the Reds are preparing for a big summer in the transfer market, and keeping hold of two key players gives the Reds stability during what could be a period of transition. It seems strange to say that Liverpool could be about to undergo a period of transition after winning the Premier League, but there are some key areas of the squad that need addressing, and Arne Slot is yet to make a significant outfield signing.
The Reds are likely to be in the market for a new right-back amid Alexander-Arnold’s expected departure, and a new goalkeeper could also be on the agenda.
That’s because, despite Giorgi Mamardashvili being set to arrive from Valencia, the Reds could be about to lose three goalkeepers. Caoimhin Kelleher has made it clear he wants to leave to be a first-choice ‘keeper elsewhere, and the Reds could bring in a significant fee for the Ireland international, while current third-choice stopper Vitezslav Jaros and Under-21s ‘keeper Harvey Davies are both set to become free agents on July 1.
That means that Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only player who is likely to leave Liverpool for nothing at the end of the season, although the market values of Jaros and Davies are significantly lower than the England right-back. Alexander-Arnold has a market value of $83 million, while Jaros’ is $5.5 million and Davies’ is $550,000.
(Image: 2024 Jacques Feeney/Offside)
Alexander-Arnold has not addressed his future publicly since September, when he responded to a question about his future by saying: “I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say. I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public – and this one won’t be either.”
The 26-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract with Real Madrid, where he will receive an eight-figure signing-on bonus on top of his $280,000-a-week basic wage.
Liverpool has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as a possible replacement for Alexander-Arnold. It was reported last month that Arne Slot had been in touch with fellow Dutchman Frimpong, speaking to him on the phone, exchanging text messages, and generally make it clear that he wants the 24-year-old to move to Anfield.
