Five bargain free agents Liverpool can sign including wanted 105-goal striker

Liverpool could look to sign several free agents this summer, as Reds trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah approach the end of their contracts at Anfield

Liverpool are seemingly cruising to the Premier League title but will face several key decisions in the next transfer window.

Arne Slot has been an instant success at Anfield despite the pressure of replacing Jurgen Klopp in the dugout. The Reds hold a 13-point lead at the top of the league, are ahead in their Champions League tie with PSG, and have the Carabao Cup final on the horizon.

While the team have hardly any issues on the pitch, a difficult summer could lie ahead. The expiring contracts of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah have loomed over Liverpool’s head throughout the season.

The Reds will want to keep hold of the trio, who have all been crucial to the club’s triumphs over recent years. However, sporting director Richard Hughes will need to identify potential replacements and other players to strengthen Slot’s with Liverpool possibly finding solutions in the free agent market.

Jonathan Tah

While any player would struggle to replace Van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, Tah is a leading figure in the Bayer Leverkusen team that has shone since Reds hero Xabi Alonso arrived as manager. The Germany international has spent a decade in the Leverkusen first team but is still only 29 years old.

Ahead of the recent January window, Tah was linked with Barcelona, and his manager responded to the rumours. “His attitude is top-notch, he has a big influence on our game,” Alonso said. “We need him until the very last day. Then we’ll see what happens in the future. The summer is still too far away for me.

“It’s no surprise, we spoke very honestly in the summer. He is a top-level leader and his level is getting better and better. Now we are happy that he is with us.” This verdict from Alonso proves why Liverpool should consider snapping up the centre-back.

Ola Aina

Given that Alexander-Arnold is such a unique player, Liverpool would have to address his possible departure slightly differently. Reds youngster Conor Bradley, 21, is undoubtedly good enough to be a regular in Slot’s team.

Alexander-Arnold leaving his boyhood club would allow Bradley to step up to the challenge. However, it would also leave the club short of full-back options. Ola Aina, 28, is enjoying the best season of his career at Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest.

Although he does not have the same remarkable passing range as Alexander-Arnold, Aina would be a dependable and experienced back-up while allowing Bradley to flourish. The Nigeria international came through Chelsea ’s academy, with spells at Hull, Fulham, and Torino, before joining Forest in 2023.

Leroy Sane

The spot on the right wing would arguably be the most difficult problem to solve, given Salah’s phenomenal goalscoring record for Liverpool. However, Leroy Sane would likely be on the club’s list of options, even if his Bayern Munich contract wasn’t ending.

The 29-year-old proved his quality at Manchester City and has registered 106 goal contributions in 208 appearances since joining Bayern. Despite facing competition from Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise, Sane has made 33 appearances for Vincent Kompany’s side this season.

Sane wouldn’t be expected to replicate Salah’s eye-watering numbers, but his presence on the right flank would ease the burden on Federico Chiesa and give teenage sensation Ben Doak time to develop his game. Tipped as one of Liverpool’s best young prospects, Doak has impressed during his loan spell at Middlesbrough this season.

Tyrick Mitchell

Left-back has been an area of concern for Liverpool so far this season. Andy Robertson has struggled to live up to his own high standards, and Kostas Tsimikas is regarded as more of a rotational player than a long-term solution.

Mitchell, 25, has consistently caught the eye since coming through Crystal Palace’s academy. He has made 176 appearances for the Eagles and benefitted from Oliver Glasner’s tutelage at Selhurst Park.

Mitchell is not renowned for goals and assists, though he has set up four league goals this term. However, he has also been deployed as a wing-back in Glasner’s system, meaning he could help develop attacks if Liverpool signed him.

Jonathan David

Liverpool have been linked with Jonathan David in previous transfer windows, and Darwin Nunez’s issues in front of goal have underlined the possibility of the club bringing in a new striker. The Lille forward has been prolific this season, scoring 21 goals and registering 10 assists in 38 games.

It is not a one-off campaign for the 25-year-old, who has perennially been linked with a Premier League move. If he does not sign a new deal with Lille, David will have several teams competing for his signature. Still, the opportunity to join Slot’s side could make it an easy decision for the Canada international.

Liverpool’s versatile attacking options mean they have won plenty of matches without a recognised striker. However, David could prove a more consistent goalscorer than Nunez, further strengthening the team.

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