Liverpool are set for a busy and pivotal summer transfer window, as they prepare for significant changes across the club next season.
The Reds are entering a brand new chapter under the guidance of former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, and there is renewed optimism that the club can get back on track to compete for silverware after a frustrating 12 months.
Securing Champions League football in the closing stages of last season came as a huge relief to both supporters and the hierarchy, with competing on the European stage considered the bare minimum at Anfield.
However, with multiple departures and several transfer targets having their heads turned elsewhere, it remains uncertain whether Liverpool can provide Iraola with the squad needed to improve upon last season’s performances.
Fortunately, there is still plenty of time, with the transfer window remaining open until September 1st.
Who is leaving Liverpool this summer?
As of today, the contracts of Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate have officially expired after years of success in both the Premier League and European competition.
It truly is the end of an era following Salah’s departure, with the final third of one of football’s greatest attacking trios having now pulled on the famous red shirt for the last time.
Salah continues to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Robertson has joined Tottenham Hotspur and Konate has reunited with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid.
The departures of all three leave a huge void both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Their experience, leadership and dedication at Anfield have brought joy, broken records and delivered unforgettable memories for Liverpool supporters across the world.
Alongside the three senior players and defender Rhys Williams, eight academy players also depart following the expiration of their contracts. Kareem Ahmed, Emmanuel Airoboma, James Balagizi, DJ Bernard, Oakley Cannonier, Josh Davidson, Terence Miles and Jacob Poytress will all continue their careers elsewhere.
Will Curtis Jones stay at Liverpool?
The future of Curtis Jones has been a hot topic of conversation for months, ever since Internazionale made their interest known after approaching Liverpool over a loan deal during the January transfer window, which was swiftly rejected along with their £21m bid in recent weeks.
The Serie A giants have continued to pursue the Liverpool midfielder this summer but, as it stands, remain unable to meet the valuation Liverpool have placed on their academy graduate.
This week, Inter director Piero Ausilio admitted negotiations are currently at a standstill:
“I’ve never denied that we like Curtis Jones,”
“He has the qualities that could give us something extra. But there’s a significant gap between our valuation and Liverpool’s.
“Liverpool have every right to ask for what they believe is a fair price, and we have every right to decide whether that works for us or not. As things stand, I’d say it’s very difficult.”
What are Liverpool’s transfer plans?
It is no secret that Liverpool are searching for a winger capable of replacing Salah’s consistent goal contributions and influence in the final third, but the task has proven far from straightforward.
Top target Yan Diomande has been the focus of the club’s attention over the past month, with an opening bid worth £69m plus £17m in add-ons rejected by RB Leipzig for the highly-rated 19-year-old.
However, it emerged over the weekend that the Ivory Coast international has decided to join Paris Saint-Germain instead, believing the move will better support his ambitions of winning the Ballon d’Or while competing for the biggest trophies.
Fresh reports have also suggested that Liverpool’s second-choice target, PSG and France winger Bradley Barcola, is unlikely to leave the Champions League winners this summer as the French club have no intention of selling him.
While there are conflicting reports regarding Barcola’s desire to leave Paris, it would reportedly take a fee in the region of £116m to tempt PSG into negotiations, and his impressive World Cup campaign could increase that valuation even further.
Liverpool have completed the signing of Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, but it is clear that Iraola’s side remain determined to recruit a proven attacker capable of making an immediate impact at Anfield.
Time is still on Liverpool’s side to reassess their options or continue pursuing Barcola.
Either way, the search for Salah’s successor promises to remain one of the biggest talking points of the summer transfer window.
What’s next for Liverpool in the transfer window?
There are still several loose ends to tie up regarding departures, with Harvey Elliott’s future also remaining uncertain following a disappointing and ultimately unsuccessful loan spell at Aston Villa.
While Elliott is expected to feature during the early stages of pre-season alongside Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez, the long-term futures of all three hang in the balance, with Liverpool prepared to listen to suitable offers.
Alisson Becker has progressed to the World Cup round of 16 with Brazil and, although he recently signed a one-year contract extension, speculation earlier this summer suggested he could follow Salah, Robertson and Konate out of the exit door.
At present, it is expected that the Brazilian will remain at Anfield for at least another season, which has fuelled speculation surrounding Giorgi Mamardashvili’s future, with reports suggesting his representatives are exploring a loan move to Serie A in order to continue his development.
As previously mentioned, Liverpool’s priority remains signing a wide forward capable of consistently contributing goals.
Should the Reds sanction further departures over the coming weeks, they are also expected to strengthen other areas of the squad before the transfer window closes.
Replacing a player of Salah’s calibre was never going to be straightforward, but Liverpool still have time to reshape the squad before Iraola’s first season in charge truly begins.
The coming weeks and months will be decisive in determining whether the Reds have done enough in the window to re-establish themselves as genuine contenders both domestically and on the European stage.