In a best-case but realistic scenario for Liverpool this summer, Arne Slot would be able to add three quality players to his squad. A center-back is a must, while additions in holding midfield and attack would be ideal on top of that.
Of course, if Caoimhin Kelleher can’t be convinced to stay as the back-up for Alisson Becker or anyone else pushes for an exit, there might be more signings needed. But those three spots are the obvious gaps as things stand.
Ahead of Slot’s first day in the head coach role and Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and co officially beginning their new positions, there have already been various links to attacking reinforcements. From Crysensio Summerville to Anthony Gordon, Liverpool is supposedly eyeing up a transfer in forward areas.
But a new name was added to the list slightly from left field this week: according to the French outlet L’Equipe, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo is on the Reds’ radar. At first glance, Mbeumo’s goals returns for the Bees are a little underwhelming, especially in light of HITC reporting that Brentford would demand $63m (£50m/€58m) for his services.
The 24-year-old has got nine in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons — more than Luis Diaz in the campaign just gone, but hardly spectacular. There is much more to the player than just that, though. Mainly playing off the right-hand side and cutting in on his left, the bigger issue with signing Mbeumo ahead of next season would him getting into the team ahead of Mohamed Salah.
He can also play through the center, however, and as Salah’s injury and lack of form in the second half of the campaign showed, it would be no bad thing to have a rotation option for the Egyptian. Mbuemo could represent a good stylistic match.
And while his goals record might not get pulses racing immediately, there is a precedent for Liverpool signing a player with a similar output in the hope that they would kick on. Like Mbuemo, Diogo Jota was performing well for Wolves but had the potential to go up another gear with better players and service around him.
