Liverpool working on final shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool are advancing in their search to replace Jurgen Klopp, and have been able to do so now both Michael Edwards (FSG’s CEO of football) and new sporting director Richard Hughes have been appointed.
Hughes is able to play a leading role in finding Klopp’s replacement even though he doesn’t officially start until 1 June. This was agreed with Bournemouth, who Liverpool have an excellent relationship with.
Ruben Amorim is a leading contender after Xabi Alonso confirmed he is staying at Bayer Leverkusen. And like Amorim, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi also scored quite highly when Liverpool used data to create a longlist of options. They are now working out who makes the final shortlist.
De Zerbi hasn’t been approached to date and is not necessarily favourite at this point. That’s not really how Liverpool work either. They will be thorough and keep an open mind rather than being reliant on any one candidate before they have completed their process. This is the sign of a well-run club, as is how discreet they are at handling these type of situations.
It’s true that Hughes is a De Zerbi admirer, and identified him as a possible replacement for Scott Parker when he left Bournemouth, but nothing progressed due to issues with his Shakhtar contract at the time. Bayern are also discussing the Brighton boss, who has a release clause in his current contract.
I don’t think anything is certain yet with Liverpool since they are only starting to narrow down the list of names now with a view to finalising someone before the season ends. That makes this month important.
Liverpool have also discussed Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, but the Serie A side want him to sign a new deal. Bologna’s Thiago Motta, who is doing an excellent job, and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann have also been spoken about internally.
Liverpool are calm about their search and will very much carry it out on their own terms. Once they have a manager locked in, when they choose to announce it will also depend on the manager and their club and, as importantly, Klopp.
The club plan to finalise Klopp’s replacement before the season ends, but a public announcement will be timed so as not to overshadow Klopp’s farewell or disrupt a season where Liverpool are still fighting on three fronts.
Viktor Gyökeres among several names on Arsenal’s summer transfer list
Viktor Gyökeres is on Arsenal’s list of striker options for this summer. The 25-year-old has 36 goals in just 40 games in all competitions and this hasn’t gone unnoticed at Arsenal.
However, Sporting expect Gyökeres’s €100m release clause to be triggered, or bettered for a more preferable deal structure. That’s quite challenging for Arsenal, even with the money of Champions League football next season. That said, Eddie Nketiah could bring in some money despite being valued as a squad player. Wolves and Crystal Palace retain an interest.
Arsenal are also looking at RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, and could face competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United. And Bologna’s in-form Joshua Zirkzee has also been discussed internally – a player AC Milan are tracking too.
Arsenal have been long-linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, but I don’t think he’s now necessarily top of their list of targets, partly due to age and cost. It’s the same with Chelsea as well and has been for quite some time, and that might be good news for Manchester United.
It will be interesting to see if Toney is sold this summer or waits for free agency in 2025. That might be more tempting for one or two Premier League clubs, including Arsenal.
I expect Arsenal to prioritise a striker, and put much of their summer budget towards one. That will make landing Wolves’ Pedro Neto in addition difficult given Wolves want around £80m.
However, keep an eye on Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is a long-standing Arsenal target. Zubimendi was fully committed to Sociedad in January. He loves it at the club, but at 25, this summer could be the right time to move. I don’t think he will be routine to land or cheap but the advantage is Zubimendi does have a €60m release clause if Arsenal really want to proceed.
Sources indicate any starting point will be lower than this, though, if they move. Douglas Luiz is another midfield option but I expect him to stay at Aston Villa if they qualify for the Champions League.
It’s clear Arsenal need a few outgoings if they want to get a top striker and strengthen elsewhere, even though there are no imminent fears about profit and sustainability rules breaches at the club. The challenge in the inflated transfer market is every club with a couple of big summer windows, however well run, has to start thinking carefully about their finances.
