Liverpool already looks as though it could be making moves ahead of the summer transfer window opening – although one potential deal now looks to have been ruled out.
Having won the Premier League title in his first season in charge after taking over from Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot could be set for a big summer as he prepares for the Reds’ defense. Already, he and sporting director Richard Hughes look to be hard at work on potential deals.
There will of course be at least one big departure, with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving at the end of his contract, with a move to Real Madrid in the pipeline. No time is being wasted in finding a replacement though, with Jeremie Frimpong looking as though he could quickly arrive on Merseyside.
Reports suggest the Bayer Leverkusen defender has now given the green light for a move to Anfield, having told his current club he wants to leave. With the Premier League’s first transfer window set to open on June 1 ahead of the Club World Cup, Frimpong could be signed in just over a couple of weeks’ time.
The right-back’s arrival could be the first of what may be a busy summer for Liverpool, with plenty of names being linked with a move to Anfield.
One player already looks to have been ruled out though, and likely won’t be following Frimpong over from the Bundesliga.
Angelo Stiller has been touted as a midfield option for Liverpool, with the Stuttgart star said to have still been on the Reds’ radar after being identified as an alternative to Martin Zubimendi last summer.
Stiller has been compared to the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, which has piqued interest among Liverpool fans this month. “Toni and I are similar in terms of playing style,” he once said. “Just like him, I try to put my stamp on the game with my strengths.”
Sky Germany though now looks to have put an end to the speculation, having insisted “there is no truth” to the rumors linking Stiller with Liverpool, despite local outlet Stuttgarter Nachrichten suggesting otherwise earlier this month.
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Even without Stiller, the Reds could be set for a big summer, or at least they will be if Virgil van Dijk’s comments are anything to go by. Slot though has been eager to play down expectations about the upcoming window.
“It’s already a big summer because we extended Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] and for large parts of the season, I don’t think everyone expected that,” Slot told Sky Sports after his side had lost 3-1 against Chelsea.
“For us to keep them is a big thing. I’ve said already that I am happy with the squad we have. We will see what the summer brings, but sometimes it can be good to bring fresh energy.”
“It has already been a good summer, and we won the league,” he added. “Only if we see someone on the market who can improve us.”
