Liverpool and Arne Slot were ‘extremely keen’ on signing £67m star this summer

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Arne Slot’s first summer in charge as Liverpool manager was a lot more quiet than many expected in terms of transfers.

Just two permanent signings were made in Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa, with the former returning to Valencia on loan for the season with Liverpool adding very little to Jurgen Klopp’s squad last year.

With Liverpool enduring a historic defeat this weekend against Nottingham Forest, the lack of new signings could have been a misstep from Slot and the Reds’ transfer team with the Anfield side looking short of ideas.

And it appears that Liverpool and Slot were keen on signing one player this summer.

Liverpool and Slot wanted to sign Xavi Simons this summer

According to Bild journalist Yvonne Gabriel, Liverpool were ‘extremely keen’ on signing PSG star Xavi Simons before the Dutch international rejoined RB Leipzig on loan, with Slot having a connection with the former FC Barcelona wonderkid.

Gabriel said when asked about the amount of interest Simons had this summer: “PSG would like to sell him next year, but Xavi sees himself at an even bigger club. His price tag, which is already rumored to be over €80m (£67m), is utopian for Leipzig.

“With sums like that, however, the Premier League naturally comes into play, Xavi’s dream destination, as they say, that’s why he took on a new advisor a year ago, the Englishman Darren Dyne. His father David was once Vice Chairman of Arsenal and helped found the Premier League, and his son Darren naturally also has top connections in England.

“But it’s fair to say that the whole league has long had Xavi on its radar. Liverpool were also extremely keen on him this summer, there is a good connection to coach Arne Slot.”

Simons would have been a dream signing for Liverpool

Although Liverpool’s attacking options are some of the best out of any squad in Europe this season, Simons would have been a dream signing for the Reds if a deal with PSG could have been reached.

Lauded as a ‘superstar’, Simons is built for the Premier League and has the potential to become one of the best players in world football having established himself as a household name this summer at Euro 2024.

And ahead of next summer, Liverpool need to do all they can to sign Simons, who could develop into an even better player if the versatile attacker can once again hit the ground running in the Bundesliga with Leipzig.