DrkeemLiverpool are just one day away from their next friendly – a big friendly clash against their Premier League rivals Arsenal in Philadelphia on Thursday.
That game should give new boss Arne Slot plenty of food for thought as he chews over who is right for his squad and which areas he will need to strengthen ahead of their Premier League opening match away at Ipswich on August 17.
Dutch coach Slot – who has taken over from long-serving Jurgen Klopp this season – is said to be using the club’s pre-season tour of the United States before taking any transfer decisions.
Liverpool’s upcoming opponents Arsenal have just made a big signing, adding Ricardo Calafiori to their squad for £42m, but what is the latest news around the Reds? Mirror Football rounds up all the latest gossip and rumours.
Liverpool “extremely determined” to land Turkish star
Transfer rumours have dried up for Liverpool in recent days but one notable piece of news comes from Turkey – with Liverpool reportedly eager to bring in Baris Yilmaz from Galatasaray.
The 24-year-old winger was one of Galatasaray’s primary threats last season as he featured 55 times in all competitions, netting seven times and providing a further eight assists – catching the eye in the Champions League too.
Turkish outlet Fotomac claims the Reds are “extremely determined” to land his signature this summer though Galatasaray are reluctant to lose him – and would charge around £30m in order to be persuaded. However, it adds that Liverpool would only want to pay £25m.
Gordon was “chased” by Liverpool last month
Newcastle star Anthony Gordon is a name that has been strongly linked with Liverpool this summer – despite his past as a youngster for rivals Everton – with the player reportedly supporting the Reds as a child.
This week it was claimed that Liverpool had not given up on signing him and were even cooking up a plan to tempt the Magpies with a swap deal and now former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley has revealed the club were “chasing him” as recently as last month.
Staveley, who left Newcastle last month, told the Athletic: “My biggest concern was that we’d lose Alex (Isak) or Anthony (Gordon) because Liverpool chased him and both are extraordinary players. Negotiating is tough because you have to pretend it means nothing to you when it means everything.”
Reds “considering defensive options”
With reliable centre-back Joel Matip leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season, Liverpool have been keen to bolster their backline and are considering their options in defence, according to the Athletic.
The report also adds that Liverpool want to add a defensive midfielder and attacking wide player – insisting that the club were never expecting a busy summer given the amount of young talent they possess in their squad.
Liverpool still boast prospects like Fabio Carvalho, Ryan Gravenberch, Jarrell Quansah and Harvey Elliott – and Slot will be eager to see how they fare over the course of the summer.
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