Despite having what looks like being a successful season, Liverpool appear set for something of an overhaul during the summer transfer market.
The Reds have quality running through their squad, but after 18 months of barely any business being done, they need to freshen things up a little.
There is an argument that the Liverpool squad needs upgrading in defence, midfield and attack as Arne Slot attempts to push on during 2025/26.
Before that, there is a Premier League title to be won of course, and the likes of Slot and the Liverpool players will be putting full focus on making sure that happens.
Behind the scenes, though, sporting director Richard Hughes is preparing for what could be a defining summer for him at Anfield.
And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Hughes is already ‘actively working’ on at least one new signing.
Liverpool targeting ‘important’ centre-back
The priority for Liverpool in this summer’s transfer market will likely depend on what happens with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
If Van Dijk leaves, for example, Liverpool badly need to bring in a new, top centre-back.
Even if the captain stays, the Reds haven’t signed a new central defender since 2021. And speaking on his YouTube channel on Saturday, Romano says Liverpool are aiming to end that run in 2025.
“I can confirm once again to you that Liverpool are really, really advancing in the process to identify the centre-back they want to sign in the summer,” says the transfer expert. “Liverpool will go for an important centre-back.”
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“In an internal meeting they had with Richard Hughes, with people on the board involved and Arne Slot too, they all agreed on bringing in an important centre-back in the summer transfer window.
“When I say important, it could be an important talent, it could be an established player,” Romano adds. “But my information is that Liverpool want to invest in young players for present and future, so this could be the view.”
“Let’s see what happens, we know their position on [Dean] Huijsen. Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern and Newcastle are all keen on signing him. There will be many clubs in the race.
“Liverpool are also monitoring other players, actively working on the new centre-back, working to identify who is the player they really, really want to bring in.”
Who could be on Liverpool’s list?
It may worry some supporters that Liverpool are so set in targeting a new centre-back, given Van Dijk’s uncertain situation.
But given the new injury to Joe Gomez, and the potential of him leaving in the summer, the Reds do need cover there regardless of whether Virgil stays or goes. Besides, the Dutchman will be off at some stage in the not too distant future and succession planning needs to happen.
As a result, it does seem probable that a young player will be the one Liverpool go for. Huijsen has a release clause in his Bournemouth contract and would seem like an obvious choice.
But the Reds rarely do the obvious thing in the market, and we’re not completely sure they’ll want to pay the £50m or so Huijsen will likely leave for. Castello Lukeba has been linked once again this week, but he’d be even more expensive.
In the meantime, the likes of Antonio Silva, Ousmane Diomande, Christian Mosquera, Giorgio Scalvini and Jorrel Hato are all worth keeping an eye on.
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