Liverpool are already preparing for a summer of difficult goodbyes, and today’s transfer stories only add to that feeling.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both being linked with exits, which would leave Arne Slot short of yet more senior leadership.
At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool are continuing to look at attacking talent, but Bournemouth and Napoli have both complicated two potential routes forward.
Van Dijk, Gomez, Eli Junior Kroupi and Allan Elias all feature in today’s round-up.
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Liverpool transfer round-up
There has been another claim from Turkey about Van Dijk’s future.
The Liverpool captain turns 35 in July and is about to enter the final year of his contract. A 2027 departure would make sense, but Galatasaray want to try sign Van Dijk this summer.
Journalist Arda Özkurt has claimed that a representative from the Liverpool captain’s management company was at Rams Park, and that the Dutchman has indicated a willingness to join Galatasaray if Liverpool allow it.
The suggestion is that Van Dijk would want a two-year deal with the option of a third.
That still feels difficult to see happening. Liverpool allowing Mohamed Salah to leave for free this summer creates a precedent, but Van Dijk’s situation feels different. Unless something changes behind the scenes, it is hard to imagine the Reds willingly letting their captain walk away a year early for nothing.
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The errors are beginning to pile up…
Joe Gomez could also be on the move.
Lewis Steele has suggested Gomez is likely to leave Liverpool, with Crystal Palace among the clubs interested. Palace wanted him last summer when Liverpool were chasing Marc Guehi, and with Guehi now gone, they still have a clear need at centre-back.
Gomez has been a brilliant servant to Liverpool, but his time at Anfield does feel like it may be reaching a natural end. The only question is whether Liverpool can really afford to lose another senior figure. Gomez is one of the few remaining players who understands the dressing room from the club’s greatest recent years.
Further forward, Bournemouth have sent Liverpool a very clear warning over Eli Junior Kroupi.
The 19-year-old has had a brilliant season at the Vitality, scoring 12 goals in all competitions and emerging as one of the most exciting young attackers in the Premier League.
Liverpool have watched him, but Bournemouth director Tiago Pinto has insisted he will not be sold, even if Liverpool or Barcelona offer €100m. Resolve will be tested this summer.
Finally, Napoli have already made two offers for Liverpool target Allan Elias.
Both have been rejected by Palmeiras, who are holding firm as interest grows from England and Italy. Allan has an £87m release clause, but the expectation is that a deal could eventually be done for less.
Liverpool have been monitoring him for months, and the 21-year-old left-footed right winger makes obvious sense as part of the Salah succession plan.
Napoli are moving, though. If Allan is a serious target, Liverpool may not be able to wait too long.
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