Liverpool will start thinking about the summer transfer window imminently – Declan Rice, Jonathan David and Gleison Bremer might fit the bill.
Liverpool had a fairly successful January transfer window. Luis Diaz arrived as a big-money signing, while both Nat Phillips and Neco Williams got valuable loan deals.
But now comes preparation for the summer. Liverpool will have a stressful one as several key stars enter the final years of their deals, while competition for others could force exits. There’s business to be done, then.
Liverpool and the summer transfer window
Defence
Right now, Liverpool are looking fantastic at the back. They’ve got incredible options at centre-back – the best in their history. But that might not last beyond this year.
Joe Gomez, for instance, is getting next to no serious game time at the moment. Both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip will be 31, too. There’s a real chance that Liverpool will be back in the market for a centre-back, then, and even if it’s unlikely, they’ll need to make preparations.
Our choice
Ronald Araujo is currently at odds with Barcelona over a new contract. He’s playing excellently for them, though, and at 22, could end up being a star.
Liverpool supposedly want him and there’s a potential partnership with Ibrahima Konate long-term. With his contract situation, Liverpool could sign a fantastically talented player for under his value.
Midfield
Liverpool have some serious midfield options right now but they do lack defensive players. Fabinho is world-class but the Reds’ other deep-lying players are Jordan Henderson and Thiago – both past 30 and with injury concerns.
They haven’t replaced Gini Wijnaldum, either, and their best young midfielders are attacking players. A top-class, all-action midfielder who can sit deeper would be ideal.
Our choice
The easy option here is Jude Bellingham but we’re not sure Borussia Dortmund will sell in 2022. That’s one for 2023.
We’ll still go big here, though, and suggest Liverpool should look at Declan Rice. The Telegraph suggests he’s on the move in the summer and he’s someone the Reds supposedly like a lot.
We’re huge fans. Rice is a fantastic all-around midfielder and there are few players better suited to replacing someone like Jordan Henderson. He can cover the holding role, the wider roles or play in a midfield two. Yes, he’d cost a fortune but Liverpool should at least get in the conversation.
Attack
Divock Origi will almost certainly leave Liverpool, while all three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane enter the final year of their deals. Now, we don’t expect all of them to leave but the Reds may well move one or two on.
If they do, they’ll need someone new. Exactly what kind of player that should be is unclear and depends on who departs. We’ll focus on centre-forward, though, as Liverpool will almost certainly be short there.
Our choice
Jonathan David is almost certainly leaving Lille in the summer. The 22-year-old, labelled a ‘phenomenon’ by one former manager, is a fantastic young player and TSN claim his agent sees an exit in 2022.
We’re huge fans and have written before about just how good he is. He’s a champion of Ligue 1, the second-top scorer in France this season, and is still so young – David’s potential seems huge.
On top of it all, Liverpool are supposedly huge fans. David was reportedly under consideration when the Reds signed Diogo Jota and if he’s available, you can bet they’ll get involved.
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