A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as the Anfield club make their decision on a potential move for the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes or Adam Wharton this summer.
Liverpool urged to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
Don Hutchison has urged Liverpool to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as he would offer Arne Slot what the Reds are lacking. The former Anfield ace believes his old side are in need of a true No9 who is guaranteed to score regular goals and make the 18-yard box their own.
Liverpool only have one centre-forward in their squad at present with Darwin Nunez but the Uruguayan is prone to struggle. He regularly leaves doubt at the top of the pitch through his wayward shooting. Although the 25-year-old still penned 11 Premier League goals last term.
Watkins was in a different league to Nunez, though, with the 28-year-old scoring 19 and also assisting 13 goals. He further helped England into the Euro 2024 final with a clinical strike to beat the Netherlands. So, Hutchison feels Liverpool should try and test Aston Villa’s resolve.
“If I am Liverpool, I probably would sign Ollie Watkins,” he told ESPN FC. “I think what they need is someone who plays within the 18-yard box and is guaranteed to score goals.”
Read more about what Hutchison has said about Liverpool and Aston Villa’s Watkins, here.
Liverpool plotting move to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace
Liverpool are now actively plotting a deal to sign England international Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace this month. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that the Merseyside outfit are eager to beat Manchester United to sign the 20-year-old before the market shuts.
Old Trafford chiefs have identified Wharton as a player who can improve Erik ten Hag’s side, just like Liverpool believe his transfer would improve their team under Arne Slot. Arsenal, as well, have considered targeting the midfielder this summer but are not prioritising his move.
Wharton has enjoyed a drastic rise this year after only joining Crystal Palace in February from Blackburn Rovers. He left the Championship and his academy club to join the Eagles. But the move to south London led to Wharton’s England debut in June before heading to Euro 2024.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Wharton’s transfer from Crystal Palace, here.
Liverpool could still sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer
Liverpool could yet still sign Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United this summer, despite the Reds failing with an earlier approach. That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports the Reds have contacted the Toon this summer to sound out the chances of a deal for the midfielder.
Guimaraes was clear to leave Newcastle at the start of the market thanks to having a release clause of £100m. The clause has now expired so Newcastle would demand an ‘astronomical’ offer to offload the Brazilian. But the 26-year-old’s camp do not rule out him sealing a move.
The 26-year-old dazzled from Eddie Howe’s engine room on Tyneside last term. Guimaraes bagged seven goals and eight assists in 37 Premier League games, having only missed their 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in November after receiving five yellow cards in 11 outings.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Guimaraes’ transfer from Newcastle, here.
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