Liverpool has just one game remaining this season — against Crystal Palace — and then Arne Slot’s side can head on holiday. But there won’t be that long a rest before it all kicks off again.
In the meantime, Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, will be busy trying to improve the roster of players at Slot’s disposal, with Bayer Leverkusen flyer Jeremie Frimpong among the targets. It is shaping up to be an exciting summer.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with the latest claim about Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who would be an ideal capture for the right price.
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
Liverpool is the “priority” for Bournemouth left-back Kerkez this summer, according to The Athletic. It is suggested that the Reds would be keen but nothing is done yet.
Real Madrid and Manchester City are also said to be looking at Kerkez, but — unlike with Liverpool — he is not their first choice. The Spanish side is going after Alvaro Carreras from Benfica, for instance.
Thought to be valued at around $60 million (£45 million), Kerkez has had a brilliant season. That kind of price would be a lot to pay for a left-back but it might just be the going rate now — and getting Frimpong for less than market value could offset it.
Liverpool.com says: Having Kerkez on one flank and Frimpong on the other would see the Reds revert back to having flying full-backs. It would be exciting — and quite PSG-like.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Liverpool head coach Slot has given the “green light” to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz this summer, despite the fact that he could cost as much $169 million (£126 million). That is according to TBR Football.
It was already known that Wirtz is a player who has caught Liverpool’s eye. The Germany international, though, is thought to be likelier to end up at Bayern Munich as things stand.
According to BILD’s Christian Falk, Wirtz has already given his word to Bayern Munich that he will be joining the Bundesliga champion. Vincent Kompany’s side is said to be confident that he will stick to that supposed promise.
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz would be the dream capture for the Reds this summer. He is already world-class but could get even better in the next few seasons, especially if he starts working under the guidance of Slot.