REINFORCEMENT : NEW LOOK UNDER ARNE SLOT FANTASTIC STRIKER WITH DEFENDER CLEARED TO SIGN IN DOUBLE €140m DEAL

Liverpool hope to sign two of Serie A’s top stars in an astonishing double £118.2m deal, Aston Villa are ‘increasingly likely’ to sign a £111m forward, while Manchester United are readying a big bid to beat Real Madrid to a top Bundesliga star.

VICTOR OSIMHEN ‘APPROACH’ MADE BY LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have made enquiries over a potential move for Victor Osimhen after learning what it would take to prise the striker away from Napoli this summer, reports in Italy have claimed.

The Nigeria striker is regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in world football after scoring an impressive 76 goals in 133 appearances for the Serie A giants since a big-money from Lille back in summer 2020.

<span;>At the time, Osimhen was being tracked by then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who decided against a move at the time and with the Reds going on to sign Darwin Nunez in some two summers later.

However, with Nunez not quite ever justifying the club-record £85m fee the Reds paid on acquiring his services, reports in Italy claim new boss Arne Slot is looking to make a bold transfer splash by replacing the Uruguayan with the Napoli man.

Napoli for a long time have been preparing for the sale of their talismanic No 9, but their hopes of achieving their huge €120m to €130m asking price for the 25-year-old look destined to fail with no side willing to match their valuation.

As a result, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is having to consider significantly lower offers, though despite links to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, no offer is yet forthcoming.

claims the Merseysiders have made made an enquiry for his services and have been encouraged by Napoli’s demands for a much more modest €90m (£76m) package.

<span;>That could prompt a concrete approach from the Reds and with Napoli determined to use the sale of Osimhen to help new boss Antonio Conte rebuild his side and with Gli Azzurri already making plans to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in a cut-price deal as his replacement.

And the striker has already made clear his wish to move to the Premier League next, confirming earlier this year: “I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take.
I think 60 per cent of the people mention the rumors about me linked with the Premier League. The Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world. I want to finish the season with Napoli strong then come up with the decision I’ve already made.”

Liverpool get green light to sign Juventus defender

The signing of Osimhen could also be followed up with a quickfire second arrival from Italy too, per the latest reports as well.
That’s after Juventus were given the all-clear to bring in Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after the two sides reached a compromise on his transfer.

Juve had initially offered just €20m for the 24-year-old, with Nice were holding out for a fee of nearer the €35m mark.

ndeed, we see three or four additions to the starting XI at most and that approach has been backed up by the lack of activity from Liverpool in the window so far.

However, if the right player comes along who suits the 45-year-old’s preferred high-pressing 4-2-1-3 system, then there is every chance a deal is struck.

So, after some minor surgery in the transfer market, here is

how Liverpool could line up under Slot once the summer window has shut…
GK – Alisson
Arguably the best in the world in his role and under contract for another three years, Alisson’s position is probably the most secure of any Liverpool player as the club in the post-Klopp era, despite links to the Saudi Pro League.

The 31-year-old was sidelined for a spell through last season and back-up Caoimhin Kelleher, who looks certain to leave this summer, deputised admirably.

In truth, there is no true replacement for the all-round quality the

as fresh competition to replace Kelleher. RB – Trent  superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold is entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract and securing his future remains one of the most pressing matters at hand for the new manager and decision makers Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.

Once the England international is locked down, Slot’s next task is to devise a role that best maximises his creative gifts while mitigating for his defensive deficiencies, whether that is at right-back or further forward in midfield.

The Reds still need to be of Real Madrid lurking though with Carlo Ancelotti a big fan of Alexander-Arnold.

 DEEPER Liverpool midfield targets: EVERY option linked for the summer 2024 transfer window

CB – Marc Guehi

France international Ibrahima Konate was an impressive partner for Virgil van Dijk last season but had his injury issues, and with Joel Matip now gone the Reds have stepped up their efforts to land a quality replacement.

Sporting star Goncalo Inacio has been a firm target for the club but Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi remains the most likely option at this stage,despite also being linked with Arsena

The 24-year-old will cost around £65m but the fact he already has Premier League experience makes more sense than waiting on Inacio to transition from the Portuguese top flight.

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk’s Anfield contract is entering its final year, meaning Slot, CEO Edwards and sporting director Hughes will need to move quickly to tie down the Dutchman to fresh terms – especially with Saudi Pro League clubs hovering.

33, Van Dijk still remains arguably one of the best central defenders in the world and Slot will be relying on his presence to aid a smooth transition into his stewardship.

LB – Andrew Robertson

At 30, Andrew Robertson is a player the Reds might have an eye on replacing with a younger, more athletic upgrade at left-back in the near future.

But there are more pressing needs for the Reds to address this summer and the left-back’s downturn in productivity last term – his return of two assists was by far the lowest of his Liverpool career – is as much a reflection of the poor finishing that cost Klopp’s side in the title race.

Continuity remains king though, especially at the back, and it makes sense for Slot to keep faith in Robertson for now.
CM – Alexis Mac Allister

A £35million arrival from Brighton last summer, Liverpool’s purchase of Alexis Mac Allister proved to be a big hit, as well as a bargain one at Anfield.

The majestic World Cup and recent Copa America winner added a controlling influence in midfield while also providing crucial goals and assists to drive the Reds’ failed title push. He’ll be a mainstay of the next manager’s midfield set-up.
However, getting a proper defensive midfielder alongside him will be key to Mac Allister taking his game to the next level.

CM – Alan Varela

Waturo Endo was a surprise buy from Mainz last summer and the Japanese international has been a steadying figure who has proved a bargain for the £16million fee the Reds forked out to sign him.

The 22-year-old Argentinian, who has been likened to former Anfield star Javier Mascherano, would provide the defensive protection and ball-winning skills to free up compatriot Mac Allister to create in the middle third.

But Liverpool would have a battle on their hands to land the much sought-after talent even if they meet Porto’s  seven most expensive defenders Liverpool have ever signed, with next big deal due
 Dominik Szoboszlai
The versatile Hungarian played predominantly in a central midfield position during his maiden Anfield campaign, but can play further forward and even on the left wing if needed – as he did earlier in his career at Red Bull Salzburg.

Szoboszlai has all the tools needed to be a top-class No.10 in Slot’s system, especially showcasing his talent in his debut season at the club.

The 23-year-old scored seven goals and added four assists in 45 games in all competitions despite playing in a slightly deeper role.
RW – Mohamed Salah

The third Liverpool superstar now in the final year of his contract, there is more doubt over Mohamed Salah’s Anfield future than the others.

The Egyptian struggled after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January and even had a sideline spat with former boss Klopp that only fuelled speculation over
The Reds rejected a £150million bid for Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad last summer and Slot has been told that  time to consider ditching the 32-year-old according to one former Reds star anyway.

However, Salah remains the club’s talisman, having scored a remarkable 211 goals in 349 games for the club, and having him still around will be of huge benefit to Slot in his first season in charge.

ST – Darwin Nunez

Striker options linked with a switch to Anfield have dwindled in recent times, with Slot having initially been tipped to bring Santiago Gimenez with him from Feyenoord.

However, it now looks almost certain that Nunez will at least begin the new season as the focal point of Slot’s attack, although the window is open until August 30 of course – so never say never.

LW – Anthony Gordon
Yes, this would be a hugely controversial move for the England man, but the rumours over Liverpool’s interest in bringing the player back to Merseyside refuse to go away.

Cody Gapko’s impressive Euro 2024 was looking like it made him a certain starter in the role ahead of Luis Diaz, as the Colombian continues to be linked with both PSG and Barcelona in recent

And when Liverpool previously made contact for Gordon, Newcastle wanted big money in addition to Jarell Quansah joining in a player-plus-cash deal.