Liverpool’s summer business well and truly got underway yesterday as The Reds unveiled Darwin Nunez.
The forward signed from Benfica for a fee that could rise to £85m, penning a reported six-year deal at Anfield.
With Fabio Carvalho already scheduled to officially become a Liverpool player on July 1st, it’s a brilliant start to the transfer window. But it can still get even better.
There’s no guarantee that Liverpool will dip back into the market. But we think there’s one or two areas of the squad that could still do with addressing.
With that in mind, here’s three players Liverpool should sign after wrapping up their potentially record fee for Nunez.
Calvin Ramsay – Aberdeen
Let’s start with a name that looks increasingly realistic for Liverpool. Young right-back Calvin Ramsay has been slated to arrive at Anfield since towards the end of last season.
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Aberdeen have reportedly raised their asking price for the recently crowned SFWA Young Footballer of the Year. However, Liverpool still lead the pack and a deal looks like it’s close.
Jurgen Klopp has identified Ramsay as the man to ease the burden on Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With Neco Williams reportedly available for transfer this summer, a replacement needs to be brought in. Ramsay looks like being that option.
Matheus Nunes – Sporting Lisbon
Many fans would agree that Liverpool’s midfield is the main area that needs strengthening this summer.
Reports indicate that The Reds are going to wait a further year before addressing that issue. But we think they should scrap that and go in for Sporting’s Matheus Nunes.
Liverpool are obviously well-versed in the Portuguese market. It seems unlikely that they’d have therefore missed Nunes’ talents in the midfield.
He’s reportedly ready to leave Sporting, who won’t accept less than the 23-year-old’s £52m release clause (Foot Mercato). That’s a lot of money, but considerably cheaper than some of the other options Liverpool have been linked with. Get it done Reds.
Raphinha – Leeds United
Liverpool may have strengthened their attack with Nunez, but they still have no natural option to back-up Mohamed Salah.
Putting aside the Egyptian’s contract struggles, he’s been playing far too much football recently. Of course he wants to play every game, but that just isn’t feasible.
Leeds United’s Raphinha would look to be the perfect player to perform that role. Not only would he represent a not-too-steep-a drop off from Salah, but at twenty-five, he’s young enough to succeed the 30-year-old.
Leeds’ asking price may be prohibitive and he seems to want a move to Barcelona. If Liverpool are forthright in their interest though, he’d surely be more than attainable.
With a likely outlay of around £200m including Nunez, it’s unlikely Liverpool would go for all three. But sales should offset a decent chunk of that, and Liverpool can’t skimp as they look to rebuild parts of the team.