Liverpool transfer news today: Deal for Salah REPLACEMENT, Kvaratskhelia contract OFFER, Trent SHOWDOWN, Eze bid PREPARED

Here is your Liverpool transfer update for Tuesday July 23, with news on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Takefusa Kubo, Eberechi Eze, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and more. 

Liverpool's pre-season preparations are now in full swing with Arne Slot and his squad flying this week to the United States. Some of the first team are still enjoying their holidays following Euro 2024 and the Copa America and the Dutchman has not got any new faces yet at his disposal.

However, there are reports this week which suggest the Reds are close to FINALISING some senior arrivals while there is still the matter of outgoing business to take care of.

Reds line up Salah replacement

How do you go about replacing Mohamed Salah? That's a conundrum Liverpool have been juggling for the last couple of seasons now.

Salah, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017, has been instrumental in the club's success, including winning the Premier League and Champions League. However, with the departure of manager Jurgen Klopp last season, there are concerns that Salah might also leave.

He's not getting any younger either. But as the Egyptian turns 32, it seems we have the answer to that dilemma — at least if reports from Japan are to be believed.

According to the latest update from Sponichi Annex, an agreement to sign Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo is now close. Negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, with Kubo eager to challenge himself in the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold showdown talks

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot must be at his persuasive best as the club plans vital showdown talks with one of its key players.

Amid speculation of an agreement being reached with Real Madrid for a free-transfer move in the summer of 2025, the potential departure of Alexander-Arnold has become a pressing issue for Liverpool.

Now, Slot, who is reportedly "desperate" to keep hold of Alexander-Arnold, as reported by Football Insider, plans to present his vision for the club's future to the defender in upcoming discussions.

This vision may include the possibility of becoming the team's captain should Virgil Van Dijk, who is also nearing the end of his contract, decide to leave in the near future.

New Kvaratskhelia contract

Liverpool’s pursuit of a wide forward this summer may have hit a snag as Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia appears to have reversed his decision to leave the Serie A club.

The Georgian international has been repeatedly linked with a move to Anfield, but new reports suggest he is now ready to commit to Napoli on a long-term contract.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Ben Jacobs claimed that securing a forward is Liverpool's "number one priority" this summer. This ambition was illustrated by their recent, albeit stalled, move for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.

While negotiations for Gordon have not progressed, Liverpool's interest in Kvaratskhelia has also been well-documented.

However, a fresh report from Corriere dello Sport now indicates that Kvaratskhelia, initially poised to leave Napoli, has had a change of heart.

The 23-year-old winger, who currently earns around £25,000 (€30,000/$31,000) a week, is now willing to sign a long-term deal with the Serie A side, expected to include a significant pay rise.

Eze bid lined up

On the back of his successful Euro 2024 campaign, Liverpool are preparing a bid for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, according to reports.

The 26-year-old has garnered significant interest following a stellar end to the last season, in which he scored eight goals in Palace's last ten games to earn himself a spot in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad.

Now, according to Football Insider, the Reds are set to go head to head with Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of the dynamic attacker who made three substitute appearances in Germany this summer.

Kelleher in transfer limbo

Ahead of the new 2024/25 Premier League season, Liverpool could look to sell goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher but any outgoing transfer looks set to be held up.

Football Insider have stated that The Reds would like to move Kelleher on even though he stepped in plenty of times during last season with 26 appearances to his name.

Kelleher has been a fan favourite at Liverpool whilst being understudy to Alisson Becker as he played a pivotal role in two League Cup finals that The Reds won under Jurgen Klopp.

He is now 25 years old though and is still behind Alisson who is one of the best in his position so it doesn’t look like Kelleher will replace him anytime soon.

So for his sake after a successful time at Anfield, it looks like a move away makes sense for all parties but even though Liverpool would be happy to sanction a sale they are concerned about a lack of numbers in the goalkeeper department.

It is no secret that Kelleher wants to be a first choice whether that be at Liverpool or elsewhere so a move is certainly on the cards this summer with his national manager wanting it to happen.

The big issue for the Republic of Ireland international is that no offers have come in for him right now so he may not have the option to leave after all.

Ngumoha delay explained

Liverpool made a big statement a couple of weeks ago when it was reported they were moving for wonderkid Rio Ngumoha but the move still hasn’t been announced.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano was the one who broke the news about Liverpool closing in on a deal to sign Ngumoha from the Chelsea academy.

The youngster, born in 2008, was regarded as one of the best players coming through the ranks at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are supposedly furious at the fact that they are set to lose such a talent to one of their biggest rivals due to the fact they are concerned he could be a real asset to Arne Slot and Liverpool.

However, they are partially to blame due to his pathway to first-team football being blocked at the club as they have made several signings of players in his position.

After seeing several young players come through the ranks at Liverpool last season and also play in a major cup final at Wembley Ngumoha’s mind was made up.

Normally after a deal has been reported the clubs will formally announce it shortly after but at the moment neither Liverpool nor Chelsea have given any indication that a transfer is done.

Romano revealed why this is the case as Ngumoha is going through the Premier League’s five-step investigation process.