Liverpool transfer news as the Reds eye an exciting defensive prospect. Real Madrid’s hopes of securing a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold have taken a hit.
It could be a busy summer at Liverpool as the post-Jürgen Klopp era begins and his successor shapes the Anfield squad. But before any potential incomings or outgoings, a decision must be made on who is the right man for the job.
Several behind-the-scenes appointments have already been made ahead of the summer, most importantly Richard Hughes arriving as the club’s new sporting director. It was a role that was vacant after Jörg Schmadtke announced he would be leaving in January.
Now with a strong infrastructure in place, the focus can shift to the next boss who will occupy the hot seat at Anfield. Xabi Alonso remains the favorite to take over but Liverpool will face competition from Bayern Munich for the Bayer Leverkusen boss.
Liverpool’s next manager is likely to prioritize strengthening the defense this summer, with Klopp having been without almost all of his senior options for period this season. A long-term replacement for Joël Matip will also be needed, with the defender out of contract at the end of the season.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, including interest in a Juventus teenager and an update on Real Madrid’s reported pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Dean Huijsen (Juventus)
Liverpool is eyeing defensive reinforcements this summer and could target Juventus centre-back Dean Huijsen once the transfer window opens. According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Juventus is eager to raise funds for the upcoming transfer window and could sell both Huijsen and Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer.
Huijsen, 18, is currently on loan at AS Roma and has played a total of 12 games across all competitions for the Serie A side. He could be available for $32m(€30m/£25.7m) at the end of the 2023/24 campaign — which has sparked the interest of Liverpool.
The Reds are said to be now preparing a ‘real offensive’ offer for the defender, with Roma also eyeing another loan move to make the deal permanent in the future. Huijsen has made just one senior appearance for Juventus.
Huijsen has grabbed his chance to impress at Roma since arriving in January and would add some more depth to the Liverpool defense. At 18, he has an incredibly bright future and will not be short of offers, if he is to permanently leave Juventus. With Jarell Quansah only 21, and Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté both 26 and under, the teenager would add to a backline that could dominate for another 10 years.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid could be priced out of a move for Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to GOAL. The Reds vice-captain has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu in recent weeks, with his current deal up at the end of next season.
The 25-year-old currently earns around $230,000 per week (£180k/€213k) and he is likely to seek an increase in those wages if he stays at Anfield. It is claimed he would demand even more to move on, alongside a significant signing bonus.
Liverpool have no plans to let Alexander-Arnold go and a new deal is likely to be a priority for Richard Hughes and the club’s next manager. But with Real already likely to sign Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer this summer, a deal for Alexander-Arnold may prove to be too costly.
Even if Real Madrid could afford him, it seems unlikely that Alexander-Arnold would force a move away from Liverpool, or that there would be plans to sell him. A new deal is a must and you would expect the England ace to become the club’s next permanent captain when Virgil van Dijk departs.
