Liverpool mean business this summer. The finishing touches are being put on a deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, while Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed firm contacts have been made with Bournemouth for left-back Milos Kerkez.
And that's only the beginning.
Arne Slot did a wonderful thing in sealing the Premier League title this season, not yet 12 months into his appointment as Jurgen Klopp's successor.
Some would coin it an unenviable, insurmountable task, but it's one the Dutchman has passed with flying colours, his side so dominant and controlled throughout the campaign.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates after winning the Premier League
The Premier League is Liverpool's; no one saw it coming. But while the Reds embraced their underdog tag at the start of the term, there's little question they will step into the new season with heightened expectations, even though Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving.
Especially because Trent is off. Liverpool need to find a new world-class playmaker, and though both defensive wings are being strengthened, it's Florian Wirtz who could be the vice-captain's creative replacement.
Liverpool's interest in Florian Wirtz
Liverpool are one of the most fearsome attacking teams in the game, and have been for a good few years. However, Alexander-Arnold's departure will be to the detriment of Anfield's forward fluency.
That's why it's so important that FSG put their all into winning the race for Wirtz's hotly-contested services. The Leverkusen man, 22, has hit 68 goal involvements across the past two seasons, winning an invincible domestic double last year.
Most assists in Europe top five leagues
Bayern Munich are confident they are the favourites, while Manchester City are also fixed in the battle as they prepare to lose Kevin De Bruyne. Liverpool, however, will pounce the moment they see a chance, though £126m would be quite the outlay.
Florian Wirtz - Leverkusen Stats by Competition (24/25)
Competition
Bundesliga
Champions League
DFB-Pokal
DFL Supercup
Stats via Transfermarkt
His prolific quality makes him a priority for Liverpool, but he's not the only one. Indeed, with Darwin Nunez reportedly ready for a new challenge, it's imperative that sporting director Richard Hughes makes the right decision in signing a replacement at number nine.
Liverpool in talks for new striker
According to Spanish sources, Liverpool are tussling with Chelsea for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, although early negotiations between the two parties have been difficult given his outfit's lofty price tag worth £84m.
Leipzig's failure to qualify for Europe has set them back considerably, with Sesko and Xavi Simons both expected to be sold.
This is music to FSG's ears, having been locked in talks for Sesko's signature and now taking more of the cards as the Bundesliga club are surely forced to lower their brow-raising financial demands.
Imagine Benjamin Sesko at Liverpool
Sesko is only 21 but already, across two campaigns in Germany, he's established himself as an offensive profile capable of thriving for one of the biggest hitters on the continent.
Across 87 total appearances for Leipzig, the Slovenia international has scored 39 goals, also laying on eight assists.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko celebrates
Liverpool have found joy in raiding the German scene for exciting up-and-comers in recent years, and Sesko could be the perfect man to continue this trend, especially if he arrives in conjunction with Wirtz.
The Germany international's flair and output would certainly go a long way toward helping Sesko find his feet. As per FBref, Wirtz ranks among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues this season for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 2% for passes attempted and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
So active and influential across different areas, Wirtz is exactly what Liverpool need to reorient their creative centre and allow a player like Sesko to hit the ground running.
The Leipzig star has already been described as "one of the best young strikers in the world" by Redmen TV contributor Joe Baker, with his thunderous shot power, steely physicality and deceptive pace making him the prototypical modern striker.
Is it any wonder Liverpool are so desperate to get him on the books? Much of Sesko's potential may be yet untapped, but as per Sofascore, he's only missed 18 big chances across his two Bundesliga campaigns, scoring 23 goals, which highlights a natural clinical edge that Slot's current focal frontman lacks.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko before taking a penalty
Of course, you'd think he'd go from strength to strength on Merseyside too. Liverpool are an immense team with weapons from every angle. Sesko would enter a veritable hothouse for player development, fronted by a coach whose prowess can be found in the Premier League's Player of the Year nomination for Ryan Gravenberch, the huge upswing in performance from Cody Gakpo.
In previous years, fans would be forgiven for assuming such signings lay beyond Anfield's reach, but there's something different about the Reds this summer, with plans being made to bolster heartily, signing any number of exciting new stars.
Sesko would be the frontman, and he'd be charged by a Leverkusen machine whose skills are unmatched. This season alone in the league, he's created 17 big chances and has averaged 5.2 successful duels per game, bespeaking the creativity and completeness needed to form a framework from which Sesko can prosper.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko scores their first goal from the penalty spot -1
Wirtz and Sesko are already two of the most exciting stars in their position, and they have yet to even reach their peaks. Slot would surely help them grow to the heights touted, and bring Liverpool plenty more silverware in the process.
Liverpool-Jude-Bellingham Related
Liverpool big admirers of £90m Wirtz alternative who's a Bellingham clone
Liverpool are interested in signing Florian Wirtz this summer.