Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot ‘requests’ a $108m defender. Meanwhile, an Anthony Gordon claim has also emerged after links with the forward last week.
Just like the plans for the Jürgen Klopp celebration that will take place at Anfield after Liverpool plays Wolves later today, the summer decisions that Michael Edward and co will need to make to give Arne Slot the best chance of hitting the ground running will have been in the pipeline for some time.
Chiefly on the priority list for Liverpool in terms of the transfer market should be a center-back and a forward and both are being linked today. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, including another update on Anthony Gordon.
António Silva (Benfica)
Incoming Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has ‘requested’ that Liverpool sign Benfica center-back António Silva this summer, according to Real Madrid Confidencial. Indeed, the report states that the Reds ‘will sign’ Silva for a fee of around $108m (£85m/€100m).
That is despite Real Madrid being interested, with the La Liga side having also been taking a look at him. With Ibrahima Konaté often seeming to pick up injuries and Joël Matip leaving on a free transfer, more depth in that position is required at Anfield.
The highly-rated 20-year-old has been a breakout star in Portugal over the last couple of seasons and signing a defender appears to make a lot of sense for Liverpool this summer. Real Madrid, it is said, will focus on bringing in Lille youngster Leny Yoro.
Liverpool.com says: Silva is a top emerging young talent but it is surely premature to suggest that a deal is done. It would also be wrong to think that Slot will get whatever he asks for. Michael Edwards and his data team will be assessing the best solutions on the market and making the big decisions on transfers.
Newcastle United and England forward Anthony Gordon is someone that Liverpool ‘really likes’, according to The Athletic. Manchester City and other clubs are also big fans of the former Everton winger.
But the chances of anyone being able to prize Gordon away from Newcastle this summer are slim. The North East side spent $57m (£45m/€53m) to sign Gordon around 18 months ago and would demand at least double that now to let him leave.
Gordon is a player that would really suit Liverpool. It’s been a surprise to see how well he has done at Newcastle having not really been given the platform to impress like that at Everton. He would cost a lot, but is definitely an option worth considering in the future.
