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Liverpool told to switch focus to 'perfect' transfer once Florian Wirtz deal completed

Liverpool saw transfer "deadline day" come and go without any agreement on Florian Wirtz. Fortunately, the next window was only a week away — and not only do the Reds expect to wrap up a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen star in due course, they could also be busy with further business.

Things certainly seem to be moving in the right direction with Wirtz. One of Arne Slot's camp has broken the collective silence for the first time, with Andy Robertson acknowledging that the playmaker is a "top player".

And all reports indicate that Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are ironing out the finest details now. In an unrelated deal, but one which no doubt provides an incentive to work together toward a mutually beneficial outcome, the Bundesliga side is also taking an interest in Jarell Quansah.

He's one of numerous players who could end up leaving Anfield this summer. Harvey Elliott faces an uncertain future after a tough first campaign under Slot, while the same could be said of Darwin Nunez, Joe Gomez, and a couple of others.

The departure of Nunez, in particular, could yet push Liverpool into the market for another marquee deal after Wirtz is wrapped up. While the German has played as a number nine, it's anticipated that he will arrive in order to add creativity a little further back, potentially still leaving Slot in need of a new forward.

Nunez has been persistently linked with the Saudi league, which may yet give Liverpool an unlikely chance to recoup a significant chunk of its initial outlay. That would give the club some handy headroom for a second swing at finding the long-term solution at number nine, this time with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards leading the process.

Solid links have been reasonably thin on the ground. Hugo Ekitike's name has been mentioned more than once, while Julian Alvarez did the rounds about a month ago, but nothing concrete has emerged.

And now Ally McCoist has urged Liverpool to go in a different direction altogether. He has hailed Victor Osimhen as "absolutely perfect" for Slot's side.

Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray gestures during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Kayserispor on May 18, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray gestures during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Kayserispor on May 18, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

“I think Osimhen would be absolutely perfect at somewhere like Liverpool," McCoist eulogized on talkSPORT. "I think he’d be unbelievable at Liverpool."

The Nigerian striker is fresh off the back of an unlikely loan spell at Galatasaray. Relations broke down with Napoli to such an extent that Osimhen seized one of the few remaining options late in the window last summer, but he still looks every inch the elite forward.

Unsurprisingly, he is widely expected to move on a permanent basis this summer. Saudi sides have taken an interest in him, too, but he is thought to prefer the Premier League.

And GiveMeSport claims that Osimhen has been mentioned in a "high-level meeting" at Liverpool. However, the likeliest current outcome is that the 26-year-old elects to remain with Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are all also looking to strengthen in the center-forward position. They may be contemplating giving Osimhen a route to the Premier League as well.

So a deal that looks opportunistic (and apparently even "perfect") on its face may yet prove to be a little more complicated, especially once Osimhen's potential wage demands are factored in. But a striker of his caliber in front of Wirtz is certainly an appealing prospect — and with plenty of twists and turns expected once the second transfer window opens, it is sure to be an exciting summer at Liverpool.

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