It’s official – Liverpool is the Premier League champion. Now the hard work begins for Arne Slot as he plans next season’s defense.
The Reds’ 20th league title was confirmed after Sunday’s victory over Tottenham, with Slot earning his reward for a sensational first season in charge after taking over from Jurgen Klopp. His next challenge is just around the corner though.
Alongside sporting director Richard Hughes, the Liverpool boss will be drawing up a list of transfer targets that he will feel can carry his side to another crown next year – and potentially even more. One of those signings looks as though it may even be drawing closer.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
Liverpool looks to have been given the green light to sign Milos Kerkez this summer, with The Mirror reporting that Bournemouth is stepping up its pursuit of a new left-back. The Reds are said to be the “clear frontrunners” for the Hungarian international signature, although Manchester City is also said to be interested.
In any case, Bournemouth may already be planning for life without Kerkez. The report claims Real Madrid’s Fran Garcia and Wolves’ Hugo Bueno are of interest to the Cherries, along with Maxim De Cuyper, although Juventus is said to be leading the race for the latter.
Liverpool.com says: Hopefully, that’s a good sign for Liverpool. Kerkez seems like the ideal signing at left-back, and there’s no doubt that the Reds do need to be looking in that area.
Bournemouth is very bright with its business, so hopefully it gets its replacement over the line fairly quickly, allowing plenty of time for Kerkez to make the move to Anfield and settle in. It certainly feels like this is one that Liverpool should get done.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Liverpool could sign Marc Guehi for just $53 million this summer, with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish having decided the defender will be sold, according to TBR Football. Guehi has just one year remaining on his contract after this season, and has been linked with a move to Anfield.
Palace did reject a $93M offer from Tottenham in January, although it’s expected they will have to lower their price, or risk losing him for nothing in a year. Liverpool is said to be interested, although it’s Newcastle who is supposedly leading the race for his signature.
Liverpool.com says: Guehi could be a decent enough signing, although whether he’s up to the standards of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate is very debatable. For us, if there is the chance of getting Dean Huijsen, then that should be the priority in terms of a new center-back.
