Liverpool transfers: Arne Slot to use ‘good connection’ to land €80m PSG star

Arne Slot is hoping to use his 'good connection' with a young star at Paris Saint-Germain to help lure him to Anfield.

The Dutchman’s first window as Liverpool manager saw Federico Chiesa join for just £12.5m and Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to come into the squad next summer.

Liverpool also missed out in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, with the Spanish midfielder rejecting the Reds to stay with his boyhood club Real Sociedad.

Read more: Alisson misses training in injury blow

Arne Slot interested in Xavi Simons

It has been revealed that Slot is going to use the connection he has with PSG youngster Xavi Simons in order to bring him to Anfield.

Bild journalist Yvonne Gabriel spoke on the FC Bayern Insider podcast about Simons and the current plans surrounding him.

Gabriel said: “PSG would like to sell him next year, but Xavi sees himself at an even bigger club.

“His price tag, which is already rumoured to be over €80m, is utopian for Leipzig. With sums like that however, the Premier League naturally comes into play, Xavi’s dream destination, as they say, that’s why he took on a new advisor a year ago, the Englishman Darren Dyne.

“It’s fair to say that the whole league has long had Xavi on its radar. Liverpool were also extremely keen on him this summer, there is a good connection to coach Arne Slot.”

The 21-year-old has also become a regular feature for the Dutch national side, alongside Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, and scored a brilliant opener in the Euro 2024 semi-final against England this summer.

All four have been called up in the provisional squad for October’s international break, and there is potential for a discussion about a move to Merseyside.

He is a skilful attacking midfielder who managed 23 goals and assists for RB Leipzig last season, where he currently remains on loan, and 35 for PSV the season prior in his breakout season.

Fans are still hopeful that Mohamed Salah will renew his contract and continue with the Reds in seasons to come, but if he was to leave, Xavi Simons could provide a useful attacking spark to help cover for the major loss.