Liverpool's transfer business could be set to accelerate with the new season just three weeks away
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan looks on during an AC Milan Training at Sam Kerr Football Centre on July 30, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images)
Fikayo Tomori is said to be of interest to Liverpool(Image: Giuseppe Cottini, AC Milan via Getty Images)
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Liverpool could be moving closer to securing Bradley Barcola from PSG, with the Reds and the European champions reportedly engaged in discussions over the winger. However, it has not been the frenetic summer of transfer business that many fans envisioned.
Liverpool have looked impressive in victories over Sunderland and Wrexham, but fresh additions are required. In fact, neither of the club's new recruits, Jeremy Jacquet nor Victor Munoz, have appeared for Andoni Iraola during pre-season as yet, owing to injury and an extended break following the World Cup, respectively.
Today's developments see a move for Kaishu Sano come into focus after the player's club invited bids, while the Reds have been linked with a surprise swoop for a former Premier League defender Fikayo Tomori with negotiations reportedly ongoing.
Liverpool lean Sano stance
Japanese international Kaishu Sano has been touted with a switch to Liverpool this summer. The sporting director of his club Mainz, Christian Heidel, has acknowledged that the Bundesliga outfit could permit the midfielder to depart, though only for a substantial fee.
The 25-year-old found the net for Japan at this summer's World Cup against Brazil. He has reportedly drawn attention from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
In an interview with BILD, Heidel spoke candidly about the Mainz star's future, acknowledging that they would have no choice but to accept a substantial offer from a top club should one materialise. "You know we like to prepare transfers in such a way that the public only finds out once we announce them," he said.
"I won't comment on any rumours or discuss any of the clubs mentioned. We don't have to sell Kaishu; we can afford to keep him. If he stays, there will be a lot of happy people in the squad, the club, and the surrounding community.
Kaishu Sano celebrates scoring against Brazil.
Kaishu Sano celebrates scoring against Brazil this summer(Image: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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"But it's the same as always at Mainz 05: if an offer comes along that makes us gasp for breath, we have to consider it! There's no doubt there are interested parties," he told BILD, as quoted by Sport Witness. "It's well known that England is the league where outstanding players usually move.
"Our big advantage is that the player still has a long-term contract, so we're under no pressure at all and won't be rushing anything. If a club comes along with an offer, we'll consider it. If, in our view, it's not high enough for the player's market value, then it's also possible that Kaishu will stay with us longer.
"As of today, everything is still open. But we know, of course, that we have a player who is generating a lot of interest."
'Talks underway' for Tomori
Italian outlet Tutto Juve claims that Liverpool have entered into preliminary discussions with AC Milan regarding a potential deal for former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori. The report states that "discussions are currently still in the early stages and negotiations are not yet advanced" as Liverpool weigh up the potential cost of securing the former Chelsea defender.
Tomori is contracted until 2027. The centre-back came through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge before making the move to Milan five years ago.
Tomori won the league with Milan in 2022
Tomori won the league with Milan in 2022(Image: AC Milan via Getty Images)
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The 28-year-old former England international has thrived since arriving at the San Siro. Tomori has made 214 appearances for the club, claiming Serie A glory in 2022 and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2025.
Iraola's requirement for a new centre-back was further highlighted this week following confirmation that Joe Gomez will be sidelined at the start of the season through injury. New arrival Jacquet is also yet to feature for the Reds owing to a minor injury.
Defenders Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have both departed the club this summer, while young Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni and right-back Conor Bradley are yet to return to pre-season training following their respective injuries.
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