Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool’s plans for next season are well under way with talks for one midfield target planned already.
Liverpool’s transfer model seems to be one that involves building a squad that will compete for trophies over a period of time rather than for short term success.
The approach of signing players under the age of 25 hasn’t paid of this season, however, it is a plan that makes sense and players like Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni will all come good. All of them have shown over a number of games at previous clubs or for their country, that they can contribute at the highest level and deserve to be playing their football at Anfield.
Liverpool in talks to sign Caleb Yirenkyi
This summer should see more of the same with a host of names from across Europe being linked with a move to Liverpool. One of those is Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenki who has been scouted at length and who seems destined for a big move when the transfer window opens again. The 20-year old Ghanaian has impressed at home and on the continent with Anfield Watch claiming that Liverpool have arranged talks with the player’s representatives: “Liverpool have arranged talks with the representatives of FC Nordsjælland's Caleb Yirenkyi during the March international break, Anfield Watch can reveal.”
Yirenkyi is more of a defensive midfielder, but is different to the likes of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali who they have also been linked with. He would be more of an enforcer tasked with winning the ball back and giving it to Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai to make something happen. Liverpool don’t have to compromise though with another 20-year old midfielder attracting plenty of attention.
Who Liverpool should sign instead of Yirenkyi
Speaking a couple of weeks ago, Fabrizio Romano, one player who Liverpool have been linked with, along with Arsenal, is Kees Smit: “The name I keep bringing to the table: Kees Smit, the AZ Alkmaar midfielder,” the transfer insider reported on his YouTube channel. “[His agent] Jorge Mendes is in control of the situation. There is Real Madrid interest, there are Premier League top clubs interested, several top clubs. So, it’s going to be a big battle between Spanish and Premier League clubs.
“For Kees Smit and AZ Alkmaar, it’s going to be a huge summer. It’s not going to be easy to sign him. Something like €40m-45m (£35m) is not enough, it’s not enough money. Get ready for Kees Smit, because he’s going to be a big part of conversations.” Smit is more of a playmaker and could well be a cheaper version of Anderson or Wharton, if money is needed to be spent elsewhere.
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