Liverpool would still love to sign ‘elite’ £43m player and he’s likely to move in August

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If Liverpool are going to do business this summer, then it looks likely to come in August.

The Reds have earned a reputation over the past decade or so for being a club who like to get things done early during the summer transfer window.

Often nailing down key targets well ahead of time, Liverpool don’t like to be scrambling – or seen to be scrambling – as the season draws nearer. Nevertheless, that appears to be the way things have gone at Anfield this year.

That isn’t necessarily Liverpool’s fault. Arne Slot’s arrival and the summer international tournaments have made it hard to add to the first-team squad.

With the clock slowly running down, though, if FSG are serious about making a signing or two, things need to start moving.

Johan Bakayoko still in Liverpool’s sights

Another, new issue with Liverpool getting their business over the line is that they’re due to fly out to the United States on Tuesday.

The Reds will be away for two weeks or so as they get their pre-season properly underway. Liverpool are missing some big names for the USA tour, but it will be full-on regardless.

Given the way they’ve gone about things in the window so far, it seems unlikely that – unless the right opportunity becomes available – Liverpool will push to accelerate any new signing while they’re away.

Due back in the first week of August, that will then leave a bit of a bun-fight for them to bring any new players in.

READ MORE: All confirmed Liverpool incomings, outgoings and loans ahead of 2024/25

There will of course be players still available, though, and according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, it could actually be the ideal time to pull the trigger on reported Liverpool transfer target Johan Bakayoko.

“Let’s proceed in order of interest,” Tavolieri writes on X. “Johan Bakayoko’s still a name very appreciated by Kompany & Eberl despite FC Bayern needs to sell wingers before moving on him.

“RB Leipzig keep discussion going these last weeks. Bakayoko’s name stays in LFC list.

“Been told that this transfer’s likely to move in the heart of Augustus [August]. Wait and see.”

Johan Bakayoko rejects Saudi Arabia move

It has been expected since the end of the season that Bakayoko would move on from PSV this summer. Bakayoko has admitted as much publicly.

However, it seems as though the 21-year-old will not simply jump at any old transfer. Bakayoko has already rejected a move to Saudi Arabia.

Although time is starting to run out in the window, the Belgium international clearly has a vision for where he goes next. And that does not include a big, premature payday in the Middle East.

For Liverpool, that’s a good sign. Bakayoko has been described as ‘elite‘ by journalist Fabrizio Romano and is clearly ready to wait for the right move.

With the Reds also biding their time, this could be a perfect match. Patience, Reds.