It might seem strange to talk about anything transfer related when Liverpool are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and are halfway to securing a Champions League Quarterfinal spot.
Yet, the best teams never rest on their laurels and operate to be proactive and not reactive, especially in the wildly unpredictable transfer market.
Liverpool have recently been credited with a firm interest in several talented players across Europe and some of these players are absolutely top-class at their position. Let's take a look at some of the players that the Reds are potential challengers to sign this summer.
AC Milan star could be perfect addition
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According to reporting from TEAMTalk, Liverpool are firmly in the market for Portuguese winger Rafael Leão.
Leão has been one of Milan's, if not their best, player for the last several seasons as he has become a consistent source of goals and assists from the outside for the Rossoneri. At 25, he is just entering the prime of his career and should have a long run of top level production.
There have been inquiries in recent years for his services, all that have routinely been rejected by [AC Milan](https://rushthekop.com/posts/a-look-back-at-the-greatest-matches-between-liverpool-and-ac-milan-01j7yjhp3jwg). However, there seems to be a growing sense they are seeing this as one of the best times to cash in on his abilities.
Bologna v AC Milan - Serie A | Ciancaphoto Studio/GettyImages
Leão is said to be available for €100 million this summer, which at surface value is not a wild amount given the amount of bonuses and installments that could be added to any deal.
Richard Hughes and his staff apparently came close to signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli last summer before the terms of the deal could not be agreed upon and it fell through. Leão could be a natural next step in the scouting department.
If Luis Diaz does depart this summer, pivoting most of the transfer funds from his sale towards the acquisition of Leão would be an ideal situation. Some might call it an upgrade. Keep your eye on this.
Reds considering activating Jorrel Hato release clause
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We've [spoken previously](https://rushthekop.com/will-liverpool-win-the-race-for-ajax-starlet-jorrel-hato-01jjmxkd5z15) about the teenage Dutch defender and what a fun signing he would make for Slot's system and this club as a whole.
His positional versatility shifting from left-back to the heart of defense is not something even the most seasoned of pros can always do at a strong level.
Ajax v Eintracht Frankfurt - UEFA Europa League | Soccrates Images/GettyImages
He is good on the ball and he has a huge ceiling to grow into and it is for all of these reasons why the Premier League leaders have scouted him so closely.
His current contract with Ajax holds a €60 million release clause. That number is more than reasonable if you sign him with the intention of having him for the next decade in defense. He's one of the most sought after young defenders around so this would be a case of Liverpool needing to act fast.
Dutch outlet SoccerNews.nl has reported Slot and Co. are ready to step up their efforts. The closest comparison to this potential deal I could think of was when Liverpool signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig via his release clause very early in the summer.
If they could get the Hato deal over the line early on in the summer window, it could lay a strong foundation to a potentially game-changing summer of activity at Anfield.