The transfer window is back open again and Liverpool are expected to be busy in the market in the coming weeks
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Here we go again. After the briefest of bizarre interludes, the transfer window reopens on Monday and will remain in operation until September 1.
Not that Liverpool weren't busy during the short time business was able to be completed earlier this month as Arne Slot's squad starts to take shape for the new campaign.
The recruitment team, led by Reds sporting director Richard Hughes, have been working hard since a record-equalling 20th championship was secured. And activity is poised to be ramped up even further with a number of incomings and outgoings anticipated.
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The first matter will be to officially confirm the arrival of attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The Reds have reached an agreement with the Bundesliga side over a £100million fee with £16m of add-ons, with Wirtz due for a medical after completing his end-of-season holiday.
Attention will then turn to negotiating a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. The Cherries value the Hungary international at £45m but Hughes, who moved from the South Coast to Anfield last year, is hopeful of driving down the price.
Two completed deals have seen Liverpool trigger the £29m release clause for Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong while 20-year-old goalkeeper Armin Pecsi has arrived from Puskas Akademia for £1.5m. Georgia international keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, signed from Valencia for £30m last year, will join the squad at the start of pre-season.
There have already been outgoings from Anfield, with Real Madrid taking over the final month of Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract in an arrangement worth £10m and Caoimhin Kelleher joining Brentford for £18m.
Czechia international goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros is expected to sign a new-long term contract with Liverpool before moving to Dutch side Ajax on a season-long loan.
Other departures are likely, with Andy Robertson mulling over interest from Atletico Madrid. Fellow left-back Kostas Tsimikas, meanwhile, is on the radar of several clubs including newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United.
Centre-back Jarell Quansah is attracting interest from Leverkusen, Joe Gomez was previously linked with Newcastle United while Ibrahima Konate, approaching the last 12 months of his contract, is reportedly on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Liverpool, though, are in talks with Konate over a deal and are planning on having Quansah in the squad next season. And no exit will be sanctioned unless a new centre-back is brought in, with Liverpool remaining in the market for a young defender after failed attempts to sign Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen over the past 12 months.
The arrival of Wirtz could prompt an farewell for Harvey Elliott with the England under-21 international previously admitting he could have a difficult decision to make this summer regards his future, while Tyler Morton is expected to leave should interest from a number of clubs - primarily in the Championship - be made formal.
In attack, Federico Chiesa is open to a return to Italy with Napoli interested, with the Serie A champions, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid also tracking Darwin Nunez, who has been a long-term target of the Saudi Pro League. There is an increasing chance both depart.
Luis Diaz is also wanted in the Middle East and by Barcelona, but would be happy to stay at Liverpool with two years remaining on his deal.
Any significant attacking departures, though, would be dependent on reinforcements being targeted, particularly in the number nine role. Liverpool are huge fans of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak and are monitoring the situation of Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt, although both have initially been valued at £85m and beyond.
Ben Doak was the subject of a failed £15m bid from Crystal Palace in January and is of interest to Everton, Dundee United want to sign Luca Stephenson on a permanent deal after an impressive season on loan in Scotland, Sunderland are seeking another temporary swoop for Jayden Danns while earlier this year Sheffield United were linked with Lewis Koumas and Owen Beck.
Nat Phillips, who is now 28 and approaching the last 12 months of his contract, will be allowed to leave on a permanent basis. West Bromwich Albion are among a number of Championship clubs considering an offer.