Liverpool working on first summer signing in ‘huge’ deal – sources
Liverpool are working on signing a new centre-back signing who could be the first new arrival at Anfield this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Reds’ new-look recruitment team, headed by FSG football CEO Michael Edwards, 44, and sporting director Richard Hughes, 44, view the capture of a new senior defender as a “huge” priority.
This news comes after Liverpool confirmed Joel Matip would leave Anfield upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
Matip has played in a right-sided central defensive role throughout his time at Liverpool but there are other options in that position, while Virgil van Dijk, who is about to enter the final year of his contract, is the only proven player at left-sided centre-back.
Liverpool have a shortlist of centre-back targets and they are likely to make moves for them now their season has finished.
Liverpool transfer ‘priority’ emerges as club working on deal
Arne Slot is set to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield amid a shift in the structure of the club, with Hughes to take charge of transfer dealings and reporting to Edwards above him.
Meanwhile, Julian Ward and Pedro Marques are set to become the latest additions to the backroom reshuffle.
Football Insider revealed that Liverpool will target, among others, Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, 23, who is likely to change clubs this summer.
Matip’s exit follows eight years at Anfield in which he made 201 appearances and won seven trophies, including a Premier League and Champions League.
It leaves Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah as the only senior natural centre-backs, with Joe Gomez playing almost exclusively at full-back this season.
Sources also told Football Insider that contract talks with Van Dijk would begin following the end of the season, with negotiations to kick off within a week of the final game.
In other news, fans can’t believe how Mohamed Salah reacted to Klopp’s farewell speech.
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