Liverpool transfer news LIVE Joao Neves ‘priority’ with Nico Williams update and Anthony Gordon update The latest Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot plots his first signing as head coach at Anfield.

Liverpool sent Nico Williams transfer message

Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte has responded to transfer speculation surrounding Nico Williams amid links to Liverpool.

According to reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the club’s chief was vocal during a Thursday press conference about the relentless questioning of Williams’ intentions.

“We have a top project with no limits and we’re able to keep top players like Nico Williams at the club,” Uriarte said.

“There are too many questions always asked to Nico on his future as Federation has not been able to protect him. We ask for respect.”

Nico Williams has been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea this summer

Liverpool warned United should ‘nick’ Anthony Gordon

Teddy Sheringham has called on Manchester United to beat Liverpool to the signing of Anthony Gordon.

The Reds were approached by Newcastle United late last month about signing the England international, but that did not materialise into a move. However, it has shown that Gordon is not indispensable, and Sheringham told OLGB that United should rival Liverpool for the player this summer.

Liverpool might well want Anthony Gordon and we know he’s going to be a top player so Manchester United should try and nick him before he goes there

Kvaratskhelia ‘enquiries’

Liverpool have reportedly received approaches from intermediaries about the potential availability of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

HITC reports Arsenal and Manchester City were also contacted, and Napoli are said to have now fielded new enquiries from Premier League clubs regarding the Georgia international. The Italian club have reportedly rebuffed those proposals and insist the player is not leaving this simmer

Kvaratskhelia could yet sign a bumper new contract, which seems set to include a release clause amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain. The player’s father and representatives have encouraged a transfer at various stages this summer, but his agent recently backtracked on those comments.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Liverpool

Liverpool would need ‘two or three players’ to replace Salah

Paul Ince has warned Liverpool that it would take two or three new players to replace what Mohamed Salah brings to the team.

Ince also claimed that Salah’s form dropped after he was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. The former Liverpool midfielder expanded on those comments in conversation

When the talk started to come out about Mohamed Salah going to Saudi at the back end of last season and how much they were prepared to pay him, I thought his form dropped. He wasn’t the Salah of old. I think you’ve got to understand, Salah has been absolutely immense for Liverpool. Absolutely immense, year after year after year, scoring so many goals. But in the last three or four months of the season he looked a bit tired, a little bit jaded. He didn’t look himself and his touch wasn’t there.

It’s a tricky one because he’s so important to Liverpool Football Club and has been for so many years. But when Kevin De Bruyne talks about potentially going to Saudi, other players are thinking exactly the same thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Salah did go to Saudi, but I hope he stays because he’s such a special player and because the manager wants him.

I remember when I went to manage Blackburn in the Premier League, after about a week I’d lost Brad Friedel the goalkeeper and David Bentley went to Tottenham, two of my best players. So as a manager like someone like Arne Slot, you don’t want to lose Salah straight away. So I’m sure we’ll be having that conversation. I think if he does go then you’re going to get a lot of money from him and you might bring in two or three good players who can complement everything that Salah does.

Arne Slot meets Mohamed Salah for the first time at Liverpool’s training ground

Joao Neves ‘priority’

Liverpool have reportedly made Joao Neves their priority transfer target this summer and are preparing to make an offer to Benfica.

Correio da Manha reports that two £51million bids have already been rejected by the Portuguese club ahead of the player returning for pre-season training next week. Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also credited with an interest in the player.

Benfica, though, are said to not be up for negotiating and will instead wait for a club to trigger the player’s £101million release clause. It is suggested that the Reds would have sell players before sanctioning such an outlay.

Diogo Jota is convinced that Neves will be a top player in the future

Olmo addresses future

Dani Olmo has confirmed the £51million release clause in his contract and has joked that clubs know what they must do before July 20 to sign him. The Spain international said with a smile: “if it’s later, you’ll have to fight a little.”

Those comments came in conversation with Cadena SER. Some more serious points were also made during the discussion:

I’m not worried. I have my people who take care of everything. I have too much to do with the Euros to think about other things. Especially now with the final ahead. I don’t have anything else on my mind.

I have a contract with RB Leipzig. It’s not something I think about. The people I trust already know my opinion and what I want to do. That’s the only thing that matters.