Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
It will certainly be an interesting summer at Liverpool come the end of the season.
Stalwarts Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all find themselves in the final months of their contracts.
The unresolved contract situations of Liverpool’s key trio has created a cascading effect throughout the squad. Other players with contracts nearing expiration are reportedly waiting to see what happens with the star trio before making their own decisions.
As reported in January, Ibrahima Konate, who has been offered a new deal, appears to be delaying his decision. Fans speculated that Konate is holding back on signing his contract because he wants to see what Van Djik, Trent and Salah do.
Despite widespread speculation about a major overhaul, recent reports have poured cold water on claims of a guaranteed busy summer at Anfield – transfer activity will largely depend on what happens with the big three out of contract.
Furthermore, a recent report from the Athletic suggested it could be another opportunistic summer:
“FSG’s self-sustaining business model won’t change. It’s down to Edwards and Hughes to decide how best to spend the money the club generates,” the report asserted.
“Liverpool’s data-led approach is more likely to lead them to players on the way up with a point to prove rather than buying the finished articles with eye-watering price tags.”
Despite recent disappointments in cup competitions, Liverpool’s likely Premier League triumph provides a strong foundation from which to build.
This stability offers the club’s hierarchy time to carefully consider their options rather than rushing into panic buys, regardless of how many players ultimately need replacing.
And it seems this approach means that the club is willing to pay the £50 million buyout clause in Dean Huijsen’s Bournemouth contract as they see the 19-year-old as a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk
This is according to a report from the iPaper, who claim that the Reds have earmarked the centre-back as a Van Dijk replacement.
The Dutch-born, Spanish-raised defender joined Bournemouth from Juventus for £12.6 million last summer and has attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Liverpool’s ability to offer Champions League football and their strong ties with Bournemouth give them an advantage.
Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, played a key role in bringing Huijsen to Bournemouth before his move to Anfield.
Huijsen’s performances on loan at Roma convinced Bournemouth to sign him, and he has since impressed in the Premier League.