As the wait goes on for Liverpool to dip into the transfer market this summer, the Reds may need to prioritize holding down their current players.
Speculation is swirling over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold currently, with reports claiming that Real Madrid has made contact with the Liverpool vice-captain. Rather worryingly for the Reds, it’s also suggested that he’s interested in the approach.
He’s not the only current squad member being linked with a move away. Alisson Becker has been linked with Saudi Arabia, and the Reds may be bracing themselves for a ‘jaw-dropping’ offer to arrive.
Arne Slot and Richard Hughes may have their work cut out for them then this summer. Previous targets already look to be falling by the wayside, with the pursuit of Leny Yoro seemingly coming to an end.
Keep an eye on the Liverpool.com live blog for all the latest transfer updates…
Key Events
FSG out of Bordeaux deal14:13
15:49KEY EVENT
John Heitinga appointment confirmed
Liverpool has confirmed the appointment of John Heitinga to Arne Slot’s coaching staff.
The former Everton defender joins as an assitant coach, having most recently worked under David Moyes at West Ham.
Heitinga becomes the latest addition to Slot’s backroom staff, joining Sipke Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters, Aaron Briggs and Fabian Otte.
14:59James Martin
Ireland manager’s Kelleher message
Caoimhin Kelleher has been advised to leave Liverpool by his new national team manager. Heimir Hallgrimsson was appointed earlier this month, and has already been asked if he feels the goalkeeper needs a move.
“Of course,” he answered, per the Irish Mirror. “Especially when he showed everyone that he can play at the highest level.
“It would be a shame if he’s not playing regularly after he has already shown everyone how good he is, the level he played at.”
Whether that means Kelleher’s Ireland place could be under threat remains to be seen. But it’s just another voice in his camp urging a transfer away from Liverpool.
14:36James Martin
Guehi “green light”
Liverpool may give the “green light” to a deal for Marc Guehi after seemingly missing out on Leny Yoro, reports the ECHO.
Yoro was viewed on his own terms, with Liverpool keen on what it viewed as a rare transfer opportunity. Even so, should the club feel the need to strengthen at center-back, then Guehi makes more sense in light of missing out on the Frenchman.
There’s frustration among fans at how the Yoro saga is playing out. But after an impressive Euros, Guehi would be a similarly statement signing.
14:13KEY EVENT
FSG out of Bordeaux deal
FSG has withdrawn from the running to purchase a controlling stake in Girondins de Bordeaux. That’s per Inside World Football, citing a statement from the French club.
It’s claimed that significant stadium costs and uncertainty over the French football model contributed to FSG’s decision to back away. TV deals are currently up in the air ahead of the new season, with the sport facing a potential funding crisis.
Bordeaux is now attempting to finalize an alternative financing plan. It is appealing against relegation to the third tier on financial grounds.
13:42James Martin
Thiago move confirmed
Barcelona has officially confirmed the presence of Thiago on Hansi Flick’s staff.
It was already an open secret. Earlier today, we brought you a report that he has become a leading figure behind the scenes already.
But in a statement, Barcelona specificed the scope of his role. Currently, Thiago is only expected to be at the club for the next few weeks as he trains to be a coach, although that does mean he is due to join the club on a pre-season tour to the US.
12:49James Martin
Yoro decision explained
The ECHO has the latest on developments with Leny Yoro. It claims that Manchester United was able to offer more “money and opportunity” than Liverpool, with the Reds boasting more options at center-back.
The new-look recruitment team did not feel it could justify making Yoro, 18, the second-most expensive defender in the club’s history, considering who is already on the books. However, the report concedes that the optics are bad for Liverpool, who expected Yoro to join Real Madrid.
Ultimately, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that this has been badly-handled. Manchester United kept pushing at the mention of Real Madrid, but Liverpool seemingly balked, and it has cost it a world-class young defender.
12:06KEY EVENT
Liverpool fears lengthy Nunez ban
Liverpool is concerned that Darwin Nunez could face a hefty punishment. It follows ugly Copa America scenes where Uruguay players clambered into the crowd, seemingly to protect the area which housed their families.
According to Football Insider, the involvement of FIFA would likely see any ban carried over to domestic fixtures. That would have an impact on Arne Slot’s debut campaign at the helm.
And Liverpool is said to be worried that Nunez could be in “hot water”.
11:43James Martin
Liverpool in talks over defender sale
Liverpool is in talks over a deal that would see Billy Koumetio leave the club.
The young center-back was once considered among the Academy’s top prospects. But he has been comprehensively overtaken by Jarell Quansah, and it now seems Liverpool could sanction a permanent departure.
According to Marc Mechenoua, Dundee United holds an interest. Discsussions are “in progress”.
11:08James Martin
Any chance of a Yoro hijack?
There are still formalities to be completed in Leny Yoro’s move to Manchester United. It’s not yet beyond the realms of possibility that another club could get involved, be that Liverpool or Real Madrid.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United is moving quickly because it is aware of the threat of a hijack. Though there is a contract proposal on the table, personal terms are yet to be 100 per cent completed.
10:46James Martin
Yoro contract “increasing every year”
Manchester United presented a big salary proposal to Leny Yoro to get him to change his mind, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The plan is for him to sign through to 2029, with an option for an additional year. His salary will go up each year.
Exaxt figures have not been reported. But this will certainly be a test of Man United’s new resolve to bring wages down across the board, with new signing Joshua Zirkzee reportedly being paid a modest $73k (£56k/€67k) per week.
10:21KEY EVENT
Yoro set for Man United medical
Incredibly, it seems Manchester United has succeeded in convincing Leny Yoro to join. The Athletic reports that he is flying in for a medical.
Yoro will finalize personal terms while in the country. It had previously been thought that he was only interested in joining Real Madrid, with Liverpool seemingly retreating from the race for that reason.
It would now take a “late and unexpected” turn of events to prevent Yoro from moving to Manchester United.
10:02James Martin
Alexander-Arnold latest
Amid rumors of Real Madrid interest, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation.
It’s a case of good news and bad news. Encouragingly, Romano does not believe there have been any recent developments – but he confirmed that Real Madrid has been monitoring the situation since at least March.
The Spanish giant routinely keeps an eye on world-class players with short contracts. Liverpool must make it a priority to remove Alexander-Arnold from that particular category.
09:29James Martin
Liverpool waits for Ngumoha approval
Liverpool has won the race to sign Chelsea youngster Rio Ngumoha, confirms The Athletic. However, the deal is not yet complete.
That’s because it is still awaiting Premier League approval. He cannot train or play until the paperwork goes through.
When he is able to link up with the squad, he’s expected to initially go to the U18s. The 15-year-old occasionally stepped up to U21 level with Chelsea last season, and Liverpool must have presented him with a clear pathway in order to secure his signature.
09:03James Martin
Could Guardiola be new England manager?
Away from Liverpool transfers, for a moment, the Reds will certainly be watching the future of Pep Guardiola with interest. Manchester City won’t magically get bad when he leaves, but there’s little doubt the Catalan has played a big role in turning the team into the behemoth it is today.
And reports suggest the FA could target him for the England job. They would be willing to wait a year, per the Independent, allowing him to complete the final season of his contract before joining up with the national team.
That would at least confirm his exit from Manchester City. For now, Liverpool will assume he is staying, having left it late to renew in the past only to deliver the disappointing news.
08:43James Martin
Thiago’s role at Barcelona
Thiago has returned to Barcelona in a backroom capacity. The move has seen him join up with his former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick.
And Sport has broken down Thiago’s new role at the Nou Camp. While Barcelona is yet to officially announce his return, he’s already playing a “key” role in day-to-day activities.
In particular, his language skills have been a huge asset. He is translating the more detailed tactical instructions from Flick to the players, given his perfect grasp of Spanish, English and German.
08:12James Martin
Al-Nassr to sign Alisson teammte
Al-Nassr has signed Athletico Paranaense and Brazil goalkeeper Bento. That comes amid links to Liverpool stopper Alisson.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s side was tipped to make a monster offer for Alisson, with TEAMtalk identifying Al-Nassr as the mystery Saudi suitor. But it seems it will now be all set in the goalkeeping department, having forked out $20m (£15m/€18m), per Fabrizio Romano.
Of course, that doesn’t preclude another Saudi team from testing Alisson’s resolve. In another interesting twist, Liverpool had also been credited with interest in Bento.
07:50James Martin
Liverpool “pulls plug” on Yoro
Liverpool has definitively walked away from trying to sign Leny Yoro. That’s per Football Insider.
In an apparent exclusive, it’s claimed that Liverpool has “pulled the plug” on a possible deal after learning that Yoro’s clear preference is Real Madrid. The Athletic said much the same yesterday.
Manchester United, meanwhile, is persisting in trying to get a deal done. It has become Lille’s destination of choice for Yoro, because unlike Real Madrid, it has met the asking price.
07:24KEY EVENT
‘Jaw-dropping’ Alisson bid expected
Liverpool is braced for a ‘jaw-dropping’ offer from Saudi Arabia for Alisson Becker, according to Football Insider.
Interest in the Brazil international is said to be growing, with suggestions behind the scenes that an offer could be about to arrive.
Liverpool has no intentions of selling Alisson, although the club is said to be wary of his head being turned.
07:04KEY EVENT
Leny Yoro bid accepted
Leny Yoro is in talks with Manchester United after Liverpool’s rival had a bid accepted by Lille (via The Metro).
The Reds look to have already given up in their pursuit of the defender, with The Atheltic reporting that they have ‘backed off’ amid an acceptance that he wants a move to Real Madrid.
L’Equipe and FootMercato though have both reported that Yoro is in talks with United after their $55m (£42m/€50m) bid was accepted by Lille.
07:03KEY EVENT
Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘talks’
Real Madrid has been in contact with Trent Alexander-Arnold this month, according to Christian Falk.
The 25-year-old is into the final year of his contract at Liverpool, with no new deal having been agreed yet.
Alexander-Arnold is said to be interested by Madrid – Arne Slot and Richard Hughes will need to make it a priority to nail their vice-captain down to a new deal soon.