Ollie Watkins
Liverpool are outsiders to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa
Liverpool face an important summer to strengthen their ranks ahead of their Premier League title defence. The Reds defied all their critics to return to the summit of English football in Arne Slot's first season in charge after replacing Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman opted largely to keep his powder dry last summer, with Federico Chiesa his only signing from Juventus in late August. Already, Jeremie Frimpong has signed for the club with Liverpool moving quickly to replenish their right-back options, in light of Trent Alexander-Arnold's £10m exit to Real Madrid.
The Reds moved quickly to trigger Frimpong's £29m release clause from Bayer Leverkusen and the champions are continuing talks to land his former team-mate Florian Wirtz in a deal that will break the club's transfer record.
Liverpool were beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Newcastle United, losing 2-0 at Wembley before suffering defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain a few days later, spelling the end of their Champions League fortunes with a penalty-shootout exit after a 1-1 draw across the two legs.
The ECHO has now examined the deals Liverpool could complete before the end of the transfer window when it reopens on Monday, June 16, looking at the odds from bet365.
Ins
Joao Pedro
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro has been compared to Liverpool icon Roberto Firmino for his attacking capabilities on the south coast. It isn't since the Brazilian left Anfield that the Reds have had an attacking outlet with his influence, as Darwin Nunez struggled since his arrival and Diogo Jota's frequent injury issues
He netted ten goals in the Premier League last term, averaging a goal every 195 minutes and added six assists. Bet365 have tipped Liverpool as 8/1 outsiders with Newcastle United in front. Reports suggest that the 23-year-old is facing a Seagulls exit following a high-profile fallout towards the end of the season that saw him left out of the squad.
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "Joao Pedro has established himself as a Brazil international during his time at Brighton but with Florian Wirtz the subject of a club-record move, another creative-minded forward might not be on the agenda this window. Liverpool are likely to target a more out-and-out goalscorer once Wirtz is through the door. Pedro's haul of 10 is respectable but he is a 'false 9' when a more orthodox one may be required.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins' future at Aston Villa has come under immense scrutiny following his involvement last season. Despite being one of the main attacking options for Unai Emery's side, the 29-year-old found himself on the bench for some key matches.
Watkins was the subject of rumoured interest from Arsenal late in the winter transfer window, with a £60m move mooted, but a departure wasn't sanctioned after they sold Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Bet365 expect the England international to remain in the West Midlands but Liverpool sit in the odds as 16/1 to land his signature. With the World Cup on the horizon, Watkins will be hoping for a sustained run in the squad, whether it is at Villa Park or elsewhere, in order to follow on from last season's effort where he scored 16 in 38 appearances.
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "At the age of 29, Liverpool won't be in the market for a big-money deal involving Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa striker was a target for Arsenal in the January transfer window and they won't be rivalled by the Reds this summer. Liverpool have signed two players aged 29 or over in the last five years: Wataru Endo and Thiago Alcantara. Watkins won't make it a hat-trick."
Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres appears to be the name on every major club's shortlist this summer after a scintillating season in Portugal. The Swedish talisman faces a transfer saga with Manchester United and Arsenal jostling for his signature with the double-winners demanding a reported £67m for his services.
Liverpool are rated 10/1 by bet365 to sign the striker but United and Arsenal sit ahead of them in their list odds with Juventus sandwiched between the two Premier League sides.
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "A more dyed-in-the-wool striker than Pedro, Gyokeres is a target for a number of teams this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be keen. It is unclear if Liverpool will definitely target a more traditional centre-forward once Wirtz is through the door, however. A lot depends on the future of Darwin Nunez, with nothing imminent on a potential move at the time of writing. Any sale of the Uruguay international is likely to be reinvested."
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Outs
Darwin Nunez
The Uruguayan is adored by some Liverpool supporters but unfortunately, the good moments are few and far between for Nunez. His double against Brentford fired the Reds on course to their second Premier League crown but it appears that his future lies away from Anfield.
The odds from Bet365 suggest that any Saudi Arabian team will be his next destination at 2/1 with Atletico Madrid and Napoli trailing in their running at 5/2 and 4/1 respectively.
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "Nunez has started just one Premier League game in 2025 and had his work rate called into question by Arne Slot back in February. Just five league goals is not exactly a handsome return for a player who cost somewhere between £64m and £85m, based on his add-ons three years ago. This term marked his least prolific output of seven across all competitions and the writing appears to be on the wall for his future. Nothing is in the pipeline at the time of writing, however but offers won't be dismissed as readily as they were in January when Al Nassr were turned away."
Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott has found starting minutes under Slot hard to come by since the Dutchman replaced Klopp. As a result, it has placed his future at his boyhood club under scrutiny.
When murmurs of a Florian Wirtz swap deal emerged, there were links with a possible move to Bayer Leverkusen, but they were quickly extinguished. He is 9/2 to move to the Bundesliga club, while Newcastle are priced at 5/1 and Bournemouth at 6/1 to make his signing with bet365.
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "Elliott's admission he doesn't want to 'waste years of his career' this week was telling. Having told the ECHO of his desire to stay at his boyhood club in April, that stance appears to have softened since interest in Florian Wirtz emerged. Wirtz is the same age and plays in the same position and at a cost of over £100m, the Germany international's arrival will only increase competition for the 22-year-old Elliott. If he wants to remain as a squad player looking to catch the eye, he has a place in the squad. Elliott, though, may have grander plans. He won't be forced out the door and the ball is very much in his court."
Jarell Quansah
The Liverpool academy graduate has emerged as an option for a possible summer sale. The youngster was used sparingly at Anfield last season but was afforded opportunities to deputise for Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate.
However, he had some hairy moments which were punished and could be an option to offload in the summer to open up funds for other reinforcements. Leverkusen are heavy favourites with bet365 to land his signature at 4/7, while Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are both priced at 12/1.
Liverpool writer Paul Gorst says: "Liverpool are of the belief that Quansah will be a mainstay of the England defence for years once his real international breakthrough comes but after making a giant stride forward under Jurgen Klopp, a small step back was taken under Arne Slot this term. Liverpool have no plans to offload him at this stage, particularly given the cost it will take to replace a young defender with ample potential. Newcastle had been interested but the reported £30m price tag is nowhere near what the Reds feel is his true value."
Other potential signings
Some other potential additions that Liverpool could make this summer that bet365 has markets for include Christopher Nkunku, who is priced at 7/1 to leave Chelsea for the Reds. Eberechi Ezei is also deemed as a possible addition at 12/1 but he is 4/5 to stay at Selhurst Park with Tottenham (5/2) and Bayern Munich (7/1) the leading contenders.
Find all the latest Liverpool transfer odds with bet365 here.
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