Liverpool transfer news today: Offer REJECTED, Koopmeiners BID, Gyokeres WANTED
Here’s all the latest Liverpool transfer news as the Reds prepare to ramp up their business this week.
This could finally be the week that Liverpool get their transfer business done as they prepare to return from the USA. It's expected that they'll begin talks over several players - both incoming and outgoing.
Here's what you can expect to happen.
Slot's big decision
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is ‘currently’ making a decision that will shape their summer. Things could finally kickstart soon.
Liverpool have been remarkably slow in this transfer window. They're the only Premier League club to not sign a single player and one of very few across Europe.
In fact, they haven't even sold a player.
There are good reasons for all that, though. There's a new manager and thus a new playing style - the club doesn't actually know what Arne Slot needs just yet. A new sporting director arrived, too, in Richard Hughes. He needed/needs time to assess exactly what's at hand.
And then there's the fact that two major international tournaments happened this summer. That slows everything down and especially at Liverpool as three star players are all in the final year of their contract but talks were delayed.
Until Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold sort their futures, Liverpool can't be certain where to invest.
But it sounds as though things might speed up soon. The Independent claims that Slot is 'currently deciding who to sell' after viewing the more fringe players over the last few weeks.
Once that's decided, Liverpool will have a lot more freedom to do some business. The summer could well kickstart soon.
Clark bid rejected
Liverpool have rejected an offer for one of their young players. A bigger bid is expected to arrive shortly, however.
DaveOCKOP claims that Liverpool have rejected an offer from RB Salzburg for Bobby Clark. They supposedly put in a bid of around £6m but the Reds said no.
Salzburg, of course, now have Pep Lijnders as a new head coach and it has been widely reported that he wanted to bring at least one Liverpool player with him. There have been links to Tyler Morton, for instance, and now it seems Clark is on their list.
Liverpool look at Yoro alternative
Liverpool have an alternative to Leny Yoro, per reports, but he’d set them back around £50m. The player is worth it, though.
The Independent mentions one name for Liverpool as they look at a Leny Yoro alternative - Willian Pacho. The Eintracht Frankfurt defender has been linked with the Reds before, particularly ahead of the summer.
There was even talk that Liverpool were so eager to sign Pacho that they were willing to strike a deal for him to arrive in 2025. That's similar to what they did for Naby Keita in 2017.
Frankfurt were said to be lining up a replacement, in fact, as teams pushed for Pacho. But then things stalled.
Liverpool quite plainly looked at other targets, with Yoro top of the list. His surprise move to Manchester United, when everyone was set on him joining Real Madrid, was an expensive one and not a deal the Reds could justify.
And so the Reds could well return to Pacho, says the Independent. Not that he'd be cheap, either - £50m is the price tag, as has been reported all year.
Reds expected to bid for Koopmeiners
Liverpool are expected to ‘knock on the door’ for Atalanta ace Teun Koopmeiners, with an offer anticipated to arrive in the coming daysaccording to Tuttomercato.
A move for the Dutchman, if Liverpool do pursue a deal, may prove to be difficult with the midfielder’s will being to sign for Italian giants Juventus.
The Turin side however are unwilling to go beyond €40 million to €45m for the midfielderwith Atalanta standing firm on their €60m asking price.
The Reds will be hoping Koopmeiners’ previous experience working under Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar will help tempt him into a move to Merseyside.
Atalanta’s preference would be to sell their man to the Premier League but it’s believed Koopmeiners’ desire could make a big difference on who the Bergamo club strikes an agreement with.
Gyokeres is wanted
Liverpool are ready to outbid Premier League rivals Arsenal for Sporting CP superstar Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
The Swedish striker was in ruthless form during the 2023/24 season after joining Sporting from Championship side Coventry City last summer.
Gyokeres totalled a staggering 43 goals and 15 assists in all competitions as the Lisbon side won the Primeira Liga and he has unsurprisingly attracted attention as a result of his relentless returns.
Arsenal have been one of the clubs most strongly linked with the 26-year-old as they hunt for an out-and-out number nine, but Liverpool have also been touted with interest in the forward.
The imposing striker boasts an £86m release clause in his contract but it's believed that Sporting may sanction a sale for less, with the Reds now at the front of the queue according to the latest report.
According to reports from Portugal (via TEAMtalk), Liverpool are ready to meet Sporting's asking price for Gyokeres, putting them ahead of Arsenal in the race for his signature.
The Portuguese outfit are demanding £60m for their prized asset but the Gunners are reportedly only willing to offer £52m.