Liverpool continue to prepare for summer transfer movement with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his way when his contract expires and plenty of stars linked with Anfield moves
Liverpool will go into the summer as Premier League champions after winning the title by some margin, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need reinforcements. Arne Slot’s team have secured contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, but other areas need attention – especially if there are more exits.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has already confirmed his departure, with the date of his Real Madrid switch the remaining variable. Darwin Nunez could also find himself moving on, amid reported Saudi interest, while there are questions over fringe players including Harvey Elliott and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool will take on Brighton on Monday night before rounding off their season at home to Crystal Palace on May 25. Their point at home to Arsenal last time out saw the Reds surpass the tally from Jurgen Klopp’s final season, but it could take more for them to retain their title next term.
Jeremie Frimpong remains the obvious right-back target as Liverpool look to replace Alexander-Arnold, but questions remain over other areas. Frimpong’s Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz has been linked, but Liverpool are far from the only ones interested in the German.
The summer window is a marathon not a sprint, but some Reds fans will hope some deals are wrapped up sooner rather than later. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around Anfield.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal’s Gyokeres decision, Bayern respond to Liverpool’s Wirtz move, Man Utd latestREAD MORE: Bayern Munich issue clear response to Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool transfer meeting
Frimpong’s exit message
As Liverpool remain linked with Jeremie Frimpong, the defender’s Celtic exit has come back into focus. The Dutchman was a popular figure in Glasgow but left for current club Bayer Leverkusen after just 18 months.
“I wanna thank all my team-mates for their help, the gaffer for his trust and the Celtic fans for their love,” he said after moving to the Bundesliga. “I will forever be grateful to Celtic and I wish you all the best for the future.”
The move left Celtic’s then-manager Neil Lennon frustrated, though. “Yes, I feel a bit let down because we felt we could progress him further and we offered him a new deal which would have kept him here for another two or three years but it was down to the player’s personal ambition,” Lennon said at the time.
Reds in Nkunku battle
Liverpool could make a surprise summer move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman has struggled with injuries during his time in West London and Enzo Maresca’s side may cash in during the upcoming window.
Arne Slot’s side won’t be the only ones in the mix, though. According to Foot Mercato, Premier League rivals Newcastle and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also keen.
Nkunku scored 58 goals across his final two RB Leipzig seasons, but only 17 in two campaigns with Chelsea. Seven of those 17 have come in this season’s Conference League, where the Blues will face Real Betis in the final.
Alonso gives Wirtz verdict
Xabi Alonso has got plenty of change out of Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, and it’s no surprise to see suggestions he could join the manager at Real Madrid. However, Alonso kept his cards close to his chest over the playmaker, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
“Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo and I will be happy for him,” Alonso said, as reported by the ECHO, while calling the youngster world class. “Let’s wait a little bit. It’s normal in football that there are rumours, especially with such a special player.
“There were rumours (in the past), there are rumours today and there will be rumours in the future. You need to deal with them and not take them too seriously.”
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