Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed his first two signings of the summer for a total of €65 million, Manchester United are set to sign the Italian international striker from Udinese and Arsenal hope to sign a whopping €80 million from Inter Milan. I’m doing it. .
SLOT learns the price needed to bring a top PSV star to Liverpool.
Liverpool are firmly in line to sign PSV winger Johan Bakayoko this summer, but they will need to break the Eredivisie transfer record to get a deal done.
Manchester United are hoping to usher in a bright new era on Merseyside with Arne Slot selected as Jurgen Klopp’s successor. And to help Liverpool’s chances of continuing their success in the coming years, the 45-year-old will be given a sizeable transfer chest to start his reign in style.
As a result, the Dutchman has reportedly identified a number of positions where he could develop further during his first summer in charge. To that end, reports on Wednesday morning suggested that Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio has been identified as a key summer target and long-term replacement for the departing Joel Matip.
But Slot also has a number of other areas he would like to strengthen, with a new defensive midfielder, another striker and a left-back on his summer wish list.
To kick things off, reports from the Netherlands suggest that Slot has identified Bakayoko as his number one target to bolster his attack amid ongoing doubts about Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
And while the Dutchman is seemingly keen to keep the trio going, there are plans in place to ensure they don’t fall short.
Liverpool broke Johan Bakayoko’s transfer fee record.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the Reds have made an inquiry about Belgian winger Bakayoko, who is already enjoying an outstanding season at PSV.
The 21-year-old has scored 28 goals (14 goals, 14 assists) this season as Peter Bosz’s side storm to the Eredivisie title.
In an effort to scare them, PSV told the Reds they would require a fee of €55m (£47.4m). This is a new Dutch record and beats the €50m (£43m) fee paid by Liverpool for Cody Gakpo. Take him to Anfield.
But Slott told Liverpool chiefs the deal was good value for money and it looks like Bakayoko, who has now scored 41 goals in 137 career games, will head to Anfield this summer.
Arsenal, Brentford and Borussia Dortmund are also keen, but Slot sees the 21-year-old as the ideal long-term successor to right-wing Salah and is keen to move quickly.
Bradley Rocco becomes Liverpool’s first summer signing
However, before Bakayoko signed on the dotted line, it was reported that Brest left-back Bradley Locko would actually become Liverpool’s first signing of the slot era.
The Brest left-back had an excellent season for the Brittany-based side, where he was an ever-present presence in the team and played a leading role in the side’s qualification for the Champions League.
They currently sit third in the table with just two games remaining, two points clear of Lille in what would be a significant achievement for Eric Roy’s side.
But his outstanding performances have sparked interest in the stars and it is now reported that they are set to profit handsomely from a bargain €500,000 investment in Rocco from Reims last summer.
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The Reds, currently rated in the €10 million bracket, are said to be right at the forefront of a three-club Premier League race to sign the 21-year-old, who has attracted interest from Aston Villa and West Ham.
And while claims of Andy Robertson’s downfall are overblown, Locko will reportedly get the chance to sign on the dotted line for Slot and become his long-term heir alongside Kostas Tsimikas.
Locko’s performances have earned him recognition in the France Under-23s squad and a senior call-up ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
As a reward for his outstanding performance, Rocco is expected to be included in Thierry Henry’s squad for the 16-day Paris Olympics starting Friday, July 26.
West Ham are leading Liverpool in their pursuit of the Corinthians star.
West Ham have begun negotiations with Liverpool to sign Corinthians winger Wesley Gasova, 19. (various)
Atalanta midfielder Theun Kupmeiners wants to stay at the club for one more season despite strong interest from Liverpool and Juventus. (Mateo Moretto)
Tottenham set a €23.3m (£20m) transfer fee for defender Emerson Royal this summer after deciding the former Barcelona full-back had no future in north London. (various)
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Ferland Mendy with Real Madrid ready to offer new terms to the defender with his current contract expiring in the summer of 2025. (markka)
Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are all tracking Rennes teenage midfielder Desiree Douet. (TBR Soccer)
Brighton and Brentford have been encouraged to sign Real Betis winger Ahsan Diao after it was revealed his release clause was set at €15 million rather than €30 million as previously expected. (Mundo Deportivo)
AC Milan are growing confident they will win the race to sign Benjamin Cesco after Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave the green light to trigger the €50m clause in the Serie A giants’ RB Leipzig contract. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Darwin Nunes fanned the flames over a possible move to Barcelona after his trip to Barcelona this week and is set to replace Robert Lewandowski as a striker next season amid growing claims he wants to move to Liverpool. (sports)
Manchester United sign €15 million deal to sign Udinese forward
Manchester United boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to sign 18-year-old forward Simone Pafundi for €15 million this summer. The Udinese star, who has one cap for Italy, is on loan to INEOS-owned Lausanne-Sport this season. (Tutomercato)
Brighton have scored 22 goals this season and are ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham in the race to sign Algerian striker Mohamed Amura, who could leave Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for a €20m fee this summer. (Requipe)
PEC Zwolle defender Anselmo García MacNulty has revealed his future amid claims he is being chased by Leeds Utd as the successor to long-serving defender Liam Cooper. (Estadio Deportivo)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez called out Kylian Mbappe after PSG were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday evening amid growing claims that his move to the Bernabeu could soon be confirmed. (Defensa Central)
Barcelona manager Xavi has narrowed his midfielder hunt down to two this summer, with Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zuvimendi his top targets. (sports)
Chelsea are hoping to offload 22-year-old Albanian striker Armando Broya this summer after they believe he has no future at the club. (Fabrizio Romano)
Lazio have emerged as heavy favorites to sign Nabil Fekir this summer, with Real Betis keen to move the playmaker for €15m. (Estadio Deportivo)
Real Madrid are favorites to sign River Plate’s teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono this summer, but they will likely have to fend off Chelsea’s late approach for the 16-year-old. (Mundo Deportivo)
Arsenal had hoped for an 80 million euro strike from Inter Milan
Arsenal are closely monitoring the situation surrounding Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez after he told the club he wanted a salary increase of €10m per season before signing a new contract. The Gunners could launch a bid for his signature if no agreement is reached and Inter Milan insist their fee cannot exceed €8 million per year. (Calciomercato)
Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez has emerged as a target for Arsenal.
Bernardo Silva wants Manchester City’s future resolved before the European Championships, with both PSG and Barcelona considering a move to trigger his €50m release clause. (90 minutes)
Barcelona’s hopes of offloading Raphinha this summer have been dealt a blow as former Leeds winger Deco is yet to hire a new agent following his appointment as Barca’s sporting director. The Brazilian is a target for Tottenham and Saudi Arabian clubs and is believed to have been told he could leave for a fee of around €60m. (sports)
The Blaugrana are targeting a possible move for Club Brugge star Antonio Noosa, who is also wanted by Brentford and Tottenham, in order to move Raphinha. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona is strongly considering a move to bring PSG coach Luis Enrique back to the club as Xavi’s successor in 2025. (Sports)
Jose Mourinho has made it clear that he wants to return as Manchester United manager this summer as he feels he has unfinished business with the Red Devils. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not currently considering a move to the Special One. (various)
Chelsea are the favorite club to sign Napoli ace Victor Osimhen this summer despite Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain considering the striker. (Gianluca di Marzio)
