Having begun pre-season training last week after his Euro 2024 exertions with eventual semifinalists Netherlands, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk made his club return during their 4-1 friendly win over La Liga side Sevilla and insisted he has confidence the Reds will make signings before the window closes next month – Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is a priority target.
van Dijk: They’re working behind the scenes
- Confidence from the captain: “I’m positive, think we should make some signings based on how long the season will go. I think they’re working behind the scenes and am fully convinced, trust they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad to compete in every competition – we’ll see,” van Dijk said after Liverpool’s friendly doubleheader today
- Timing: van Dijk, who turned 33 last month, is one of three key players – alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah – with one year left to run on their existing deals, and there hasn’t yet been any movement on an extension for the trio as they transition from the Jurgen Klopp era
- Thiago retired from professional football and is now back at Barcelona as a technical assistant, Joel Matip (released), Calvin Ramsay (Wigan on loan) and Adrián (Real Betis, free) have all departed for pastures new this summer while Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) and Fabio Carvalho (Brentford, pending) deals will have pocketed them around £35m
THE sight of Jurgen Klopp leading the acclaim for his managerial successor at Anfield with a warmly-received chant after an emotional final game, just days after Arne Slot’s arrival from Dutch giants Feyenoord was confirmed, isn’t long gone.
Yet while most of their league rivals have strengthened, the Reds‘ shrewd recruitment and ability to cash in on youngsters has been the biggest story so far this summer.
Portugal U21 international midfielder Fabio Carvalho, who they signed from Fulham in a £5m move two years ago, is poised to join Brentford for an initial transfer fee four times as much – £20m – with add-ons rising to make the deal worth £27.5m.
Couple that with a 17.5% sell-on clause inserted in as part of the deal, they stand to make more long-term profit on a player used sparingly – just as has proven the case with Dominic Solanke’s £65m Tottenham move (£10m), confirmed on Saturday.
Dutch U21 international defender Sepp van den Berg, who they signed from PEC Zwolle as a 16-year-old, has a £20m valuation with multiple clubs interested in signing him after a successful loan spell at Bundesliga side Mainz last term.
Serie A giants Juventus have this week been linked with a £30m move for Irish goalkeeper and second-choice man Caoimhin Kelleher, who in May expressed his desire to become a first-choice stopper if he’s to make the next step in his career.
Academy products Tyler Morton (21), Bobby Clark (19) and Ben Doak (18) are all available for the right price while Slot appears to have a sizeable transfer budget to work with, as they prepare for another season with Champions League football.
When asked for a transfer activity update, Slot said this after their pre-season doubleheader against Spanish opposition – a stronger side saw them win 4-1 over Sevilla, before a second string outfit drew 0-0 with Las Palmas, per The Athletic:
“As a club like we are, we’re always looking if we can strengthen but it is not so easy, if you saw both games today. I said many times before, I inherited a real strong team and if we can, we will but only if we think it’s possible.”
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon was subject to a hail-mary June move collapsing over high financial demands from Eddie Howe’s side, while Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi – who won Euro 2024 with Spain – has a £51m release clause.
Believed to be prioritising the acquisition of a No. 6 in the Zubimendi mould, PSG have recently signed Benfica’s Joao Neves to take the highly-rated teenager off the market while Atalanta’s Ederson, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and free agent Adrien Rabiot have all been linked with Liverpool over the past year.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes hyperlinked
Mo and Sports 