Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Liverpool want to sign an "electric" attacking player for under £45m this summer, with Arne Slot keen on the move.
Liverpool manager & transfer news
Slot has now officially been confirmed as the Reds' next manager, with the Dutchman set to officially take over from Jurgen Klopp on June 1st. The 45-year-old will arrive from Feyenoord, having won the Eredivisie title with his side last season, not to mention scooping Dutch Cup glory this time around.
Sad as it is to see Klopp depart, it promises to be an exciting new era at Anfield, as Slot looks to do the impossible and shine just as much as the man he is replacing. For that to happen, new signings will be required in the summer transfer window, and Liverpool haven't been without rumoured targets of late.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bows out
Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Odilon Kossounou has been linked with a summer move to Anfield, having helped his side cruise to a Bundesliga title win in 2023/24. The 23-year-old started 21 matches in the competition, and the Reds are seen as the current favourites to snap him up, with Benfica defender Antonio Silva on their radar, too, as they potentially sign him ahead of rivals Manchester United.
Athletic Bilbao youngster Nico Williams is considered another target at the opposite end of the pitch, although Barcelona are also believed to be providing stiff competition for his signature.
Liverpool want to sign "electric" attacking ace
Taking to X, Tavolieri talked up Liverpool's interest in PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko, with the winger available for under €50m (£42.7m) this summer. A deal has also been "validated" by Slot.
Bakayoko has been seen as a target for Liverpool for some time now, and it does feel as though he could be viewed as the long-term successor to Mohamed Salah on the right-hand side.
The Egyptian legend has seemingly committed his future to the Reds, posting a bullish message on social media in which he promised to "fight like hell" to win trophies again next season, but he will need to be replaced eventually.
Bakayoko has impressed again for PSV this season, scoring 12 goals and registering nine assists in the Eredivisie, and at just 21, there is still so much more maturing to do as an all-round player. He has been hailed as "electric" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and the fact that Slot personally wants him to come in and be one of his first signings as Liverpool manager can only bode well.
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The price tag is also appealing, certainly compared to someone like Crystal Palace maestro Michael Olise in a similar role, so the Reds could look to strike a deal.
Rob McElhenney has revealed his “favourite player” from working alongside Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham and discussed the toughest part of his job.
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Takeover completed in 2021Enjoyed meteoric rise since thenHas found it difficult to let people goWHAT HAPPENED?
Two Hollywood superstars completed a stunning takeover at the Racecourse Ground in 2021. They inherited a squad, club and community that had been down on its luck, but a remarkable transformation has been overseen in North Wales.
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Wrexham are now a League One outfit, following back-to-back promotions, with shrewd business and recruitment allowing the Red Dragons to take flight. There have been plenty of comings and goings on and off the pitch, with change required in order to progress.
WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID
McElhenney admits to finding that tough at times, telling the podcast after seeing it suggested that he and Reynolds have experienced few lows alongside the many emotional highs: “It’s interesting that you would say it’s mostly peaks, because I can see how that would seem to be the case from the outside. But that’s only assuming that the peaks are wins on the pitch – and, yes, that is invariably true that winning on the pitch is of paramount importance. But, some of those values are more personal. One thing that I was not prepared for was how difficult it is to say goodbye to players, because one of the very few downsides of becoming so personally close with the players is that you have to say goodbye to everybody at some point. Ultimately that is a metaphor of life in general, that people come and people go, but when you put so much value on the relationships that you have with people, to say goodbye is very difficult.
“We have had so many valleys along the way, in so far of Ben Tozer and Luke Young – who is my favourite player. I was very public in stating that. That’s no slight on the other players, I just love Luke. He was our longest-tenured player, he was with us from the very beginning, so to say goodbye to him was devastating. I got very close with Chloe, his wife, and children and I still speak with him – I check in with both of them. I check in with a lot of players that have left because it’s legitimately emotionally painful to say goodbye to them. I think I have learned that as fun as the experience of being the chairman of this club is, it can also be really, really hard to say goodbye.”
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Getty ImagesYOUNG THE PICK OF THE BUNCH
Former club captain Young was among those released by Wrexham in the summer of 2024 on the back of the club’s promotion out of League Two. He made over 250 appearances for the club over the course of six seasons and can be rightly proud of his standing in McElhenney’s eyes given that the likes of Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee, James McClean and Ollie Palmer were brought in alongside him by head coach Phil Parkinson.
The NSW coach enjoyed the variety of challenges on offer
Andrew McGlashan09-Jul-2020New South Wales coach Phil Jaques believes splitting the Sheffield Season between two types of balls was a good way of challenging the players to improve.Since 2016-17, the second half of the season played after the Big Bash had used a variation of the Dukes as part of Cricket Australia’s plans to give players more exposure to that type of ball ahead of last year’s Ashes where the urn was retained in England for the first time since 2001.Now the season will again be played with the Kookaburra throughout although the manufacturer has made some small tweaks and the feedback from the altered version which was trialled last season was positive.ALSO READ: Cricket Australia spin chief: Sheffield Shield pitches, not the ball, need to change”I think it’s created some good competition among the manufactures, and from a skills perspective for the players, it’s a good thing to have exposure to different things,” Jaques told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s been a really worthwhile experiment. CA have made the decision to go to one ball which will give the players some continuity but from a coach’s perspective, I thought the contest with the Dukes was also good and brought different skillset.”I didn’t mind having a slightly different ball for half a season, it’s good to keep stretching your players. But we’ve gone with the Kookaburra and the improvements they’ve made this year with the feedback they had has put them in good stead to be a better contest as well.”One of the reasons given for the return to the Kookaburra throughout the season is an attempt to bring more spin back into the Sheffield Shield although their numbers with the Dukes overall were marginally better than with the Kookaburra but the volume of overs had become an issue. The broader theme emerging about how to boost spin bowling is that it will come down to the nature of the surfaces. At the moment, only the Shield pitches used in Sydney offer much encouragement to spinners.”I’m sure the spinners around the country would like to play a greater role, from a development perspective it’s important that they do,” Jaques said. “I think it’s important that the New South Wales wickets always spin because otherwise there will be no wickets that really turn and when we do go to the subcontinent or anywhere else where it spins, the players don’t have the exposure to it. I’d personally like to see a bit more exposure to spinning wickets around the country but the make-up at the moment it’s how it is.”ALSO READ: All the Australian state squads for the 2020-21 seasonNew South Wales’ spin department, which includes Nathan Lyon when not on Australia duty, will have a new look this season with the retired Steve O’Keefe replaced by Adam Zampa after his move from South Australia while offspinner Arjun Nair has a rookie contract along with 18-year-old legspinner Tanveer Sangha.Zampa has spoken about a major part of the move being to revitalise his first-class career to push for a Test cap but there won’t be an open door to the starting XI. “We had an informal chat about where he wants to head and how he sees himself,” Jaques said. “From my perspective, there’re certainly opportunities for him to achieve what he wants to. He’s come to state on no promises, like everyone else he’ll have to earn his position and Adam’s very much up for that and wants to progress his game.”New South Wales secured the Sheffield Shield in strange circumstances back in March when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown meant there was no squad celebration.”We are planning to do something. We’ll certainly celebrate it,” Jaques said. “You don’t get the opportunity to win a Sheffield Shield that often so think it’s important that we recognize it then we work really hard towards building a sustainable, successful team.”
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to missing the dugout during "big games" while opening up on life after Manchester United.
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Ferguson retired from coaching after the 2012-13 seasonLed United to 13 Premier League titles in 27 yearsStill yearns to manage a Champions League finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ferguson stepped down from his managerial role at the end of the 2012-13 season after leading United to their 13th Premier League title under his tenure, marking the end of a 27-year reign at the club. Since Ferguson's departure, the Red Devils have struggled to reclaim the consistent success they enjoyed under his leadership despite recruiting some of the best tacticians including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
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United won the Champions League twice under Ferguson's management, first as part of their historic Treble in 1999 and then again in 2008. In addition to these triumphs, United reached the Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011 but were bested on both occasions by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
WHAT FERGUSON SAID
Even though the Red Devils have not reached a Champions League final since Ferguson’s retirement, he has continued to be a fixture at many finals, both as a supporter of the game and a former champion.
During an interview with when he was asked if he misses management, Ferguson candidly responded, "Yeah, I miss it sometimes. I think the first year after retirement, I went to the European final and I said to Cathy 'This is what I miss' – big games, the European games. So then I went to most of the European finals because I found something I could relate to, something I would like to have done every day. Because these are the big events that United should always be involved in."
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
As Ferguson enjoys his retirement, United continues to seek a way back to the top of English and European football. After a dreadful start to the new season, they are showing signs of recovery under manager Erik ten Hag. Their next test is against Crystal Palace away from home on Saturday.
Manchester City have reportedly identified a new low-cost addition for their side this summer, with Pep Guardiola personally eyeing up a move for the Bundesliga gem.
Manchester City set for summer overhaul
Despite winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, there is plenty of concern over the squad heading into the summer transfer window.
The future of Kevin de Bruyne is the chief uncertainty, with the Belgian among those interesting the Saudi Pro League, while Bernardo Silva still has a £50m release clause in his contract amid longstanding Barcelona interest.
Man City make first move for £170k-p/w man Guardiola thinks is "incredible"
Could he be the perfect man to step into this Manchester City side?
ByBen Browning May 28, 2024
The likes of John Stones and Jack Grealish both saw their playing time this season slashed too, and with the pair in the prime of their careers there could be uncertainty over their futures, while Kalvin Phillips is certain to leave after a dreadful loan spell with West Ham United, and Sergio Gomez could follow him out of the Etihad exit. Then, there are the issues between the posts.
Stefan Ortega is down to the final 12 months of his contract at the club, and after some excellent performances for the Cityzens since his arrival, there is suggestion that he is keen to move on and become a no.1 again.
That could yet be at Manchester City though, since there is also concern over the future of Ederson. The Brazilian is subject to interest from Saudi Arabia and has just two years left to run on his current deal in Manchester, which could encourage City to cash in should a suitable offer come along. Now, the club may well have found a solution to either player departing.
Pep tracking new shot-stopper
That comes in the shape of Werder Bremen talent Michael Zetterer, who has risen to prominence across the 2023-24 season.
Displacing Bremen's regular no.1 Jiri Pavlenka, he has started 27 times in the Bundesliga. He has warranted his position too, and is the best in the division when it comes to keeping the ball out of his net (according to xG), while he also boasts the fourth highest save percentage in the German top flight.
How Zetterer compares to Guardiola's current options
Ederson
Stefan Ortega
Michael Zetterer
Starts
33
5
27
Saves per 90
1.81
2.82
3.41
Save %
70.7%
74.1%
74.2%
Clean sheets
10
3
6
Goals prevented per 90
0.04
0.28
0.18
Stats taken courtesy of Fbref
Now, reports in Germany claim that he has caught the eye of Pep Guardiola himself, who was put onto the trail of the German by his scouts. Zetterer has three years left to run on his £13,000 per week contract with Werder Bremen, but there is a release clause written into his contract which leaves the German side vulnerable to losing him this summer.
Any interested party will have to act fast though, with the clause understood to expire in the middle of June, which gives Guardiola just a fortnight to make his move should he want to land a replacement for one of his current shot-stoppers.
But with Man City's goalkeeping situation so unclear, he could be a low cost option to replace either of the potential exits this summer.
Quick hopes says he would have been fit to play if selected for second Test
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Aug-2020Mark Wood has been spending his time on the sidelines of England’s Test campaigns against West Indies and Pakistan perfecting a new delivery in an attempt to boost his armoury when he returns to action.Wood has not played since the first Test against West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in early July, when he finished with match figures of 2 for 110.Despite bruising his foot while training in Manchester, scene of the last two Tests against West Indies and the first against Pakistan, Wood said he would have been able to play in ongoing match, back in Southampton, if selected.ALSO READ: England a ‘litle bit disappointed’ not to bowl Pakistan out – Broad”I’m trying to work on some wobble seams at the moment,” Wood told Sky Sports. “When you’re learning something new, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”You feel a million dollars when you get it right, but when you don’t quite get it you keep trying to strive for perfection, I guess, so something I’m working on and something that hope that I can use in a game soon.”Wood may have been keen to experiment in Southampton, with the ball moving plenty under heavy, damp skies. Fellow quick Stuart Broad told Sky after rain had hampered play for a second day in a row on Friday that he had “a clear game plan to try and wobble the ball and hit the stumps as much as possible”.Joe Root said at the toss that Sam Curran had won selection ahead of Wood for the second Test against Pakistan as England looked to boost their batting in Ben Stokes’ absence. He added that Wood would be given another week or so to reach peak fitness ahead of the third and final Test.”It was fine really,” Wood said. “I bruised my foot at Old Trafford because one of the practice pitches, the foot holes were a little bit bad and bit hard. A little bruise underneath my foot but I was training before the game here and fine for the match.”With a long and unfortunate history with injury, Wood credited experience and an understanding coach in Chris Silverwood with helping him to manage his body better.”Three ankle ops, knee surgery, countless injections, I think it does take its toll, ” Wood said. “The hardest thing is obviously when you have to pick yourself back up and think, ‘right, rehab again, get myself back,’ and you’ve got to have that sort of resilience and determination as a fast bowler.”Wood also said he had become more accepting of sitting out games.”I think having Chris Silverwood as a head coach, a fast bowler himself, understanding how you feel, honest conversation with things like maybe, ‘I’m not feeling my best this game’,” Wood said.”There’s been games in the past where I shouldn’t have played and I’ve actually done myself harm, the team harm, but because you don’t want to lose your spot, you end up playing, and you don’t then do yourself justice.”Now I’ve got a much better understanding of myself, my body, and I’m much more mature in the fact that I can go to the head coach and say, ‘I’m not sure my body can stand up to it today’.”
Celtic ended their 2023/24 campaign in style as they lifted the SFA Cup at Hampden Park after a dramatic 1-0 win over their closest rivals last month.
Adam Idah scored a 90th-minute winner for the Glasgow giants to secure a second trophy of the season for the Bhoys, after they had already won the Scottish Premiership title.
Brendan Rodgers, therefore, won a domestic double in his first year back in the dugout, after he re-joined for a second spell at the club last summer.
The Northern Irish head coach will now be looking ahead to next season and thinking about what he can do in the summer transfer window to improve his squad and ensure that they are competing for more trophies next term.
Whilst he could dip into the transfer market to add fresh players to his group, the ex-Leicester boss is also reportedly interested in keeping hold of one player who just spent the year on loan with his team at Parkhead.
Celtic in talks to make loan deal permanent
According to the Daily Record, the Hoops are in talks with Benfica over the possibility of signing central midfielder Paulo Bernardo on a permanent basis.
The report claims that the Scottish giants have an option to make the deal permanent for a fee of around £6m but they are hoping to renegotiate with the Portuguese side.
It states that talks are progressing well between the two teams and that the Bhoys are now confident that they are close to striking an agreement to sign the Portugal U21 international ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo.
The Daily Record adds that Celtic are prepared to offer more add-ons and a sell-on fee as part of the deal to avoid paying £6m up front as per the original agreement as part of the loan deal.
It also reveals that Bernardo would like to remain at Parkhead beyond this summer and wants his parent club to sanction a deal for him to return to Glasgow.
However, the report does not detail exactly how much the Hoops are hoping to pay for him as part of the renegotiated deal or how much of a sell-on percentage they are willing to give Benfica.
Celtic could now be set to land Jota 2.0 for themselves by sealing a move to land Bernardo on a permanent deal, as another Benfica loanee signing permanently after an initial loan.
The masterclass Celtic played with Jota
Ange Postecolou swooped to sign the Portuguese winger on loan from Benfica in the summer of 2021 and he hit the ground running with a phenomenal first season in Scotland.
The electric forward produced 20 goals and assists combined in 29 appearances in the Premiership for the Scottish side, as you can see in the table below.
Appearances
29
Sofascore rating
7.56
Goals
10
Assists
10
Big chances created
17
Key passes per game
2.0
Celtic then signed him on a permanent deal for £6.5m in the summer of 2022 and agreed to give Benfica a 'significant' sell-on percentage of any future sale.
Jota followed up on his impressive debut campaign in Scotland with a tremendous return of 11 goals and 11 assists in 26 league starts during the 2022/23 season.
These statistics show that the 25-year-old magician was a constant threat to opposition defences across his two years at Parkhead, both as a loan and permanent player for the Hoops.
He proved himself during his loan spell and then continued his sensational form in the following term after Celtic opted to sign him for £6.5m, and those two deals turned out to be a masterclass from Postecoglou and the club.
In the summer of 2023, Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad swooped in to sign Jota, who ended his Bhoys career with 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 games in all competitions, for a staggering fee of £25m – a huge profit on the £6.5m they paid Benfica to sign him a year earlier.
Although, £7.5m of that went to the Portuguese side due to the 30% sell-on clause they had in their deal, which meant that the Hoops pocketed £17.5m – an £11.5m profit on their initial outlay on the forward.
Celtic could now look to repeat that masterclass by securing a permanent deal for Bernardo, who could go on to be Jota 2.0 for the Scottish giants if he can build on his first year at Paradise.
Why Paulo Bernardo could be Jota 2.0
The 22-year-old maestro is a young talent who has the potential to improve and develop with more game time after a promising first season with the club.
He did not immediately hit the ground running as a regular starter like Jota but did show glimpses of his quality in the middle of the park throughout the campaign.
Appearances
22
Starts
11
Goals
3
Assists
3
Big chances created
4
Duel success rate
49%
As you can see in the table above, Bernardo chipped in with six direct goal contributions in just 11 starts in the Premiership, despite playing in a central midfield position.
He also displayed some of his defensive prowess in his six appearances in the group stages of the Champions League, ranking within the top 20% of his positional peers or higher in the tournament for interceptions (1.44), blocks (2.31), and aerial duels won (1.15) per 90 respectively.
Bernardo, who U23 scout Antonio Mango lauded as a technically "gifted" star, has the quality to excel in and out of possession, as shown by his statistics in the Premiership and the Champions League.
However, his lack of starts suggests that consistency is an issue for him at this moment in time and that is something that could come with more experience on the pitch, given that he is only 22 right now.
Report: Celtic want to sign £24,000-a-week player who Manuel Neuer loves
He would replace a departed Hoops hero this summer.
ByHenry Jackson Jun 4, 2024
Celtic could sign him permanently this summer and look to develop him further over the coming seasons to unlock his full potential as a central midfielder who can defend brilliantly whilst also being able to contribute in the final third on a regular basis.
If they can do that and then attract interest from other clubs then they could unearth Jota 2.0 by cashing in on another Benfica loanee signed permanently before being sold for a profit.
James McClean has revealed how much Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney spent on Wrexham’s record signing, who is yet to play a minute in League One.
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Busy transfer window at SToK RacecourseSquad reinforced for life in the third tierPromising striker down the pecking orderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
A busy summer transfer window saw the Red Dragons move to further bolster their ranks. Additions were required as Phil Parkinson sought to piece together a squad that can be competitive in the third tier of English football – following back-to-back promotions.
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The Hollywood co-owners in North Wales are considered to have completed more shrewd business, with the likes of Arthur Okonkwo, George Dobson and Ollie Rathbone being snapped up. The latter is said to have been lured away from Rotherham in a £500,000 deal.
DID YOU KNOW?
A move for Mo Faal, who arrived from West Brom after registering 15 goals across loan spells at Doncaster and Walsall last season, was said to have matched Rathbone’s fee. McClean has, however, told those at a live recording of that 21-year-old forward Faal actually came with a £590,000 price tag.
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That asking price will raise eyebrows as the youngster is yet to figure for Wrexham in League One this season. His two appearances to date have come in the Carabao Cup – when he scored against Salford – and the Football League Trophy.
The captain blasted 42 off 21 balls and then returned to take three wickets in yet another dominant display
Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Sep-2020Trinbago Knight Riders maintained their fearsome unbeaten run in the CPL, riding powerful Kieron Pollard performances with bat and ball to a 23-run victory over the St. Lucia Zouks, after making 175 for 5. This game meant almost nothing to the Knight Riders – their place atop the table already guaranteed – but a ninth straight win was yet another iteration of their dominance.Zouks, who are third on the table with 10 points, have already made it to the semi-finals also, but a loss of this magnitude has dented their chances of finishing second, ahead of Guyana Amazon Warriors who are on 12 points. Zouks have one more match – against Jamaica Tallawahs. If they win that by a big margin, there is still a chance they could finish second, on net run-rate.Pollard’s batting barragePollard did not score a run from the first four balls he faced, but it didn’t take long before he began looking like the batsman who had plundered 33* off 16 balls and 72 off 28 balls in his last two games. His first boundary was a top-edged four to third man, but next ball, when he made room and launched Daren Sammy over cover for six, you knew you were in for some finishing fireworks. He hit two more sixes – another back-away-and-smoke-it-over-cover shot off Kesrick Williams, before sending Scott Kuggeleijn over the deep midwicket boundary. He hit three fours (including that top-edged one) besides in his 21-ball 42.Pollard strikes through the middle oversAs with the bat, Pollard’s start with the ball was inauspicious – he was banged over cow corner for six by Andre Fletcher, first ball. Two balls later, though, Pollard had made amends – his off cutter to Mark Deyal prompting the batsman to hole out at wide long-on, as two fielders collided but one of them – Jayden Seales – held on. In the 14th over of Zouks’ innings, Pollard took an even bigger wicket. Fletcher had blasted him over long-on off the first ball of that over, but Pollard had him mis-hit one down the ground off his fourth delivery, to claim his 50th CPL wicket. He even escorted Fletcher halfway off the field, as part of his celebration.Pollard would also dismiss Mohammad Nabi, off this last delivery, to finish with figures of 3 for 35. Nabi was also caught mis-hitting a cutter.Zouks leave it too lateZouks did have a good partnership in their innings, as Fletcher and Deyal put on 59 for the second wicket. But although Zouks were 84 for 1 at one stage, they had allowed the required run rate to climb to 11 by the end of the 11th over, and had no middle-order firepower to satisfy this requirement. Fletcher’s 42 off 27 was the best of Zouks’ innings. Deyal made 40 off 33. No one else crossed 20.Bravo brothers shine againNot for the first time in this tournament, Darren and Dwayne Bravo each played vital hands in a Knight Riders victory. Darren’s 50 off 42 balls provided the backbone to the innings, and was the only half-century of the game. Dwayne’s 2 for 26 with the ball then helped keep the Zouks’ innings in check.
The stream of summer transfer chatter is starting to flow with speed, but Liverpool have not yet entered the rapids as Arne Slot acclimatises to his role as Anfield head coach and FSG make headway in identifying targets capable of making a real impact.
In fairness, Liverpool have always conducted their business in a cloak of secrecy, often evading the all-seeing eye of Fabrizio Romano before news surges into the room like a steam engine, sending the Reds faithful into instantaneous overdrive.
So, patience. Let's take a breath, have a seat. Michael Edwards is something of an expert and no doubt has some exciting stuff planned this summer. So when reports from France this week suggesting Liverpool were close to agreeing to a deal with Atalanta for Ederson, tough-tackling midfielder, were debunked by a downright James Pearce, disappointment should be put to one side.
Liverpool, it should be known, are fully intent on improving Slot's squad before the start of the 2024/25 campaign, with a centre-back, midfielder and wide forward all needed, at least one of which will likely fall into the category of 'marquee'.
Ederson's a good player, instrumental in winning the Europa League, but Liverpool are looking for a player to dominate for an age, and they appear to be mulling over a move for a talented young player who could serve that purpose.
Liverpool lining up midfield addition
According to Football Insider, Edwards and Liverpool's transfer team have held internal discussions over Alan Varela as they weigh up a bid for the 22-year-old Porto star.
The Reds signed Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for £16m last summer but there is a need for a long-term star at No. 6 and Varela would fit the bill.
Liverpool's Wataru Endo.
However, with a £60m buyout clause in his contract, the Argentinian would take a sizeable portion out of Liverpool's summer war chest – let's take a look at whether it would be worth the effort…
Alan Varela's season in numbers
Endo, to his credit, has done a brilliant job after his surprise move to Merseyside, featuring 44 times across all competitions, winning Liverpool's December Player of the Month honour and being praised as a "machine" and "footballing-wise exceptional" by recently departed manager Jurgen Klopp.
Alan Varela for Porto.
But he has his limitations. Aged 31, Endo is not a long-term option. He's industrious and composed but he lacks mobility and the complete, athletic skill set that the likes of Rodri and Declan Rice boast.
Varela, despite sitting in the early stage of his career and yet to ply his trade in a top-five European league, has been brilliant in Sergio Conceicao's side, featuring 44 times since joining from Boca Juniors one year ago and starting all eight of Porto's Champions League fixtures, excellent across two legs as they suffered an agonising penalties defeat against Arsenal in the last 16.
Minutes played
90'
90+7'
Touches
38
41
Accurate passes
25/28 (89%)
29/31 (91%)
Possession lost
4x
4x
Dribble attempts
0/1
0/1
Ground duels won
3/5
3/5
Tackles
2
3
Interceptions
3
2
Clearances
1
3
Dribbled past
0x
0x
His ability to dictate tempo and flow in the centre of the park is one of his brightest qualities, and, moreover, his confident, tigerish style passed the test against Arsenal earlier in 2024, holding his own and impressing with ball-playing and defensive strength against a fearsome Gunners side.
He's also got the trappings of a world-class passer, ranking among the top 8% of central midfielders across divisions similar to Liga Portugal for pass completion and the top 5% for passes per 90, as per FBref.
Despite his deep-lying role, he is creative and eager to find advancing peers with regularity, completing 90% of his passes in the Portuguese top flight this season but also creating five big chances and averaging one key pass per game, as per Sofascore.
Dubbed a "Rolls-Royce of a player" by talent scout Jacek Kulig while he was still cutting his teeth in his South American homeland, the 5 foot 10 star would be a credit to Liverpool's first team, and he would certainly be the option to go for over Ederson.
Why Varela would be perfect for Arne Slot
Ederson played a defining role in Atalanta's dominant dismantling of Bayer Leverkusen in the Conference League final, ending Xabi Alonso's side's hopes of footballing immortality with an undefeated, treble-winning campaign.
The 24-year-old Brazilian made 2.3 tackles and won 5.5 duels on average in Serie A this season but he only completed 84% of his passes and that's while creating a key pass once every two matches.
That's half the output of Varela, and given that Ederson is two years the Argentine's senior, it might be worth opting for the player with a higher ceiling, especially given that Endo and Mac Allister can ease the burden at the base of the midfield next season.
One of the chief reasons that Slot was picked to succeed Klopp was his high press and crisp possession-based style, a hybrid of sorts between the German and Pep Guardiola.
But this front-footed style will be curbed by Endo. By no fault of his own, the Japan star is not the ideal No. 6 to supercharge the newly-arrived Anfield system.
Mats Wieffer, Feyenoord's central midfielder and general of Slot's midfield over the past few years, is not the most precise passer in the game but ranks among the top 10% of positional peers across divisions similar to the Dutch Eredivisie for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes and the top 11% for tackles per 90.
Slot needs energy and he needs exuberance, and in a talented young player in Varela, he would find exactly what he is looking for.
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