Liverpool look set to be in the market for at least one new forward this summer with question marks over the futures of a number of their current options
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Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid's defeat at Liverpool
Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid's defeat at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
It could be a busy summer for Liverpool on the transfer front with there being question marks regarding the futures of a number of players in Arne Slot’s squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of his contract, but he will not be the only departure.
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are also out of contract with their futures uncertain as a result, though both players have publicly admitted that they would prefer to stay at Anfield. Beyond the pair, the futures of a number of their team-mates are also the subject of speculation.
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Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to move on, with a £29m deal to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia already agreed.
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With Liverpool in the market for a new left-back, it would be no surprise if one of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimkas moved on. Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah have also been linked with departures, while Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest as he heads into the final year of his Reds contract.
In midfield, Wataru Endo could depart after playing a bit-part role under Slot. He was the subject of a rejected bid from Marseille last summer. Harvey Elliott has also been linked with an exit after finding game-time hard to come by, while Tyler Morton looks set to be granted a departure.
And in attack, Darwin Nunez looks almost certain to exit the club, with the futures of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa also under question.
It is perhaps in the front line where Liverpool are in need of the greatest surgery. With Nunez and Jota both failing to fully convince Slot, a new number nine looks set to be one of their greatest priorities this summer.
But should Salah leave at the end of his contract and/or Diaz, Jota or Chiesa also move on, the Reds could be looking at a full-blown attacking revamp.
Admittedly, it is perhaps unlikely that five of their six current forwards depart this summer. But the idea of around three heading for the exit isn't beyond the imagination.
Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. However, the Magpies would loathe to lose the Swede, and will find their hold strengthened if they qualify for the Champions League.
Regardless, it would take a club-record fee, well in excess of £100m, to lure Isak out of St. James’ Park. Whether the Reds would be willing to part with such funds on one player, if he is even available, remains to be seen.
But if they are in need of multiple forwards, it could scupper any potential pursuit before it has even gotten off the ground.
It is only two years since Liverpool walked away from a move for Jude Bellingham, conscious that the then Borussia Dortmund star would take up the majority of their summer transfer kitty.
While the England international was a long-term target, the Reds were aware they needed to revamp their entire midfield instead. They spent roughly £150m to bring in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch as Bellingham instead joined Real Madrid in a deal worth up to £115m.
As well as Bellingham has done for the La Liga giants, few will bemoan Liverpool’s decision to bring in talented quantity over quality.
The Reds’ hand is strengthened now at least, as they look to close in on the Premier League table. In contrast, when walking away for Bellingham, they were resigned to failing to qualify for the Champions League.
But with further areas of their squad also in need of reinforcement, they will have to be shrewd when the transfer window opens.
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So will Liverpool go big on one star striker, or look to strengthen their overall hand across the board instead? With the futures of so many of Slot’s current squad still uncertain, only time will tell.