Liverpool transfer news as two familiar names are linked. Despite Xabi Alonso staying put, his players continue to be mentioned in connection with Anfield moves.
Liverpool has got a whole new recruitment structure in place ahead of the summer transfer window. Arne Slot is expected to arrive as head coach, rather than manager, with the backroom staff taking the lead on identifying talent following the departure of the hugely influential Jürgen Klopp.
There’s Michael Edwards, who has returned to FSG as CEO of football. He’s appointed Richard Hughes to be the new sporting director, who replaces Jörg Schmadtke, in a position that has been unsettled since Edwards himself vacated it.
The result of all this change, according to the gossip columns? Links with many of the same players who Liverpool apparently targeted last summer.
Of course, Liverpool never abandoned the data-driven approach installed by Edwards, so that’s not totally implausible. But there’s still a surprisingly familiar feel to the names doing the rounds lately.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. A defender and a midfielder are being linked as potential signings to kick off the Slot era, with the Dutchman’s appointment expected to be confirmed in due course.
Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Manu Koné was one of the big names of last summer. Links died down as the transfer window progressed, but in the early months, he and Khéphren Thuram looked to be hot favorites to end up in the Liverpool engine room.
Interestingly, neither moved anywhere in the end. But Koné is set to be on the radar of big clubs again this summer.
According to Fichajes, Bayern Munich will seek to add Koné to its midfield ranks. But there is ‘pressure from Anfield’ for the 22-year-old.
A deal would cost as much as $48m (£38m/€45m). Koné’s season has been badly hit by injury, and he has recorded one Bundesliga goal and two assists in 18 outings
Liverpool’s home shirt for the 2023/2024 campaign pays homage to Bill Shankly and the legendary Reds manager’s final season in charge at Anfield. The Nike shirt features a bright red design with a bold white contrast on the colour and cuffs.
