Brighton players Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
As Liverpool approach the 2025 summer transfer window, the club’s recruitment strategy appears poised for significant activity, driven by contract uncertainties, squad overhaul needs, and a critical search for attacking reinforcements.
With multiple reports linking the Premier League leaders to a host of high-profile targets, this summer could define Arne Slot’s long-term vision for the Reds.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as Liverpool’s top defensive target, with reports suggesting the Hungarian would cost around 45m.
Kerkez’s blend of attacking output (2 goals, 5 assists in 2024/25) and defensive tenacity aligns with Slot’s high-pressing system.
The club has abandoned interest in alternatives like Alphonso Davies and Nuno Mendes as both have signed new deals at their respective clubs recently.
Beyond the contract uncertainties surrounding Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold, other Liverpool players could be on the move. Diogo Jota may be allowed to leave after another injury-ridden campaign.
Darwin Nunez’s future has also been questioned, with the Uruguayan striker enduring another inconsistent season at Anfield. His potential departure could further necessitate attacking reinforcements.
And Brighton, aware that the Reds will likely be in the market for attacking reinforcements, have placed £100 million price tags on star players Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba to deter interest from top clubs, according to talkSPORT.
Pedro, a versatile forward with 17 goals in 54 Premier League games since joining Brighton in 2023, is reportedly a target for Liverpool and Newcastle.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom, buoyed by the club’s record turnover of £222.4 million last season—largely due to Moises Caicedo’s £115 million move to Chelsea—is under no financial pressure to sell. Sources suggest Bloom values both Pedro and Baleba in the same bracket as Caicedo.
Joao Pedro Per 90 Percentile
Non-Penalty Goals 0.23 19
Assists 0.27 90
Shot-Creating Actions 3.37 89
Progressive Passes 3.56 94
Successful Take-Ons 1.49 90
Touches (Attacking Penalty Area) 6.24 91
Interceptions 0.34 82
While Joao Pedro is an undeniable talent, there reservations about whether he the No.9 Liverpool needs.
He excels in connecting the play and is more of a facilitator as his underlying statistics above show.
But Pedro’s ability to play multiple roles in attack makes him an attractive option for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool’s interest in the Brazilian aligns with their need for attacking reinforcements – but Brighton’s high valuation could complicate negotiations.