Liverpool has lots of work to do in the summer transfer market but perhaps less than it might have done were Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to move on.
Nevertheless, Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have had long enough to assess their Liverpool roster. The areas to prioritize in what could be a big window should now have become clear, with left-back seeming like an obvious place to start.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with a look at a much-linked striker who might be set to stay at his current club.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
Liverpool has accepted that it is unlikely that Newcastle will let Alexander Isak leave this summer, with other players, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, deemed more likely options at number nine. That is according to the i Paper.
Elsewhere, the Daily Mail has suggested Newcastle is an unlikely landing spot for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap because there is a “growing expectation” that Isak won’t leave. The former Manchester City talent is therefore not convinced that moving to St James’ Park would be the best move for his career in terms of guaranteed game time.
Hugo Ekitike, the France U21 international and Eintracht Frankfurt forward, has been put forward as an option at times too. He scored an excellent goal in the Europa League against Spurs from outside the penalty area.
Liverpool.com says: A number nine has to be a priority but Isak has always felt like a difficult move to pull off, not least when there is so much work to be done. Even if he did move, the Swede is going to cost well north of $100M. Spending that much on him with other needs including at left-back would lead to a massive outlay.
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen, who has been linked with a number of clubs including Liverpool, has confirmed that he has a release clause in his contract. It is widely believed to be set at around $65 million (£50 million).
Speaking to the Spanish station El Chiringuito TV, Huijsen said: “I have a contract until 2030, [but] I do have a [release] clause. I don’t know (if I’ll join Real Madrid); we’ll see. It’s a big team. Every player wants to play in the maximum [level] possible. A friend called me and said, ‘Go to Real Madrid’. I laughed. What am I going to say?”
Liverpool is one of a number of Premier League clubs to have held talks with Huijsen’s representatives, according to The Athletic. Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Newcastle United have also spoken to the player, while he also has interest in Spain.
Liverpool.com says: Huijsen is a superb player and if Liverpool is going to get him, it probably has to be this summer. Van Dijk is likely to stay but getting the Spanish teenager in as a long term replacement would be ideal.
