After spending a fortune in the last summer transfer window, Liverpool have already opened their chequebook in pursuit of more investments this year
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium
Arne Slot has already managed to land a couple of signings for Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool are already hard at work ahead of what promises to be another heavy summer of transfer spending. And the Reds have fruit to show for their efforts already after wrapping up two signings who could prove key in the coming years.
It would be a major surprise if Arne Slot's side were to match the £400million or so spent on new signings last summer. However, the Merseysiders clearly aren't hanging about to watch the competition take potential recruits off their radar.
As such, chief executive officer Michael Edwards has already sanctioned two new purchases for the summer with time to spare. And each boast major appeal in terms of potential impact upon Slot's defence in particular.
Jeremy Jacquet is the most significant new arrival set to become official at the end of this season. The central defender will join Liverpool from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes after the two parties agreed a £60m deal in January.
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It was speculated at the time that Jacquet could have moved in the winter, a time when Liverpool's defence looked to be suffering. However, it was instead agreed that Rennes could keep hold of the 20-year-old's services for another six months.
Slot may wish he pushed harder for a January switch; however, considering what happened next in Jacquet's trajectory. That being the shoulder fracture he suffered against Lens in February, for which he successfully underwent surgery this month.
Jeremy Jacquet of Stade Rennais looks on during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between AS Monaco FC and Stade Rennais FC
Jeremy Jacquet could miss the rest of the season at Rennes prior to joining Liverpool(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)
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With an estimated recovery time of eight to 12 weeks, it could mean Jacquet arrives at Anfield in less-than-pristine condition. But on the other hand, his lack of activity in the coming months lessens any chance of a more serious injury unfolding outside Liverpool's watch.
The other known transfer Liverpool have agreed in principle will see another centre-back arrive at the club. However, Austria under-18 international Ifeanyi Ndukwe comes with an even longer-term vision, given he's still just 18.
Yet despite his age, the 6'6" starlet has established himself as a key member of Austria Wien's reserve side. The teenager has made 10 appearances in Austria's second division this season, though he's yet to make his debut for the senior side.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Austria celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 16 match between Austria and England at Aspire Academy
Ifeanyi Ndukwe will join Liverpool in the summer for around £2.6m(Image: Jurij Kodrun - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Since his move to England was confirmed, Ndukwe has started to accumulate more bench appearances for Austria Wien. However, that elusive first-team debut has remained out of his grasp for the time being.
He has also graduated from Austria's under-17 side and moved up to under-18 duties this season. He made two under-18 appearances in a double-header of friendlies against Portugal last month, losing 1-0 in one and drawing the other 1-1.
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