Liverpool working on 11 deals after Alexander Isak's latest attempt to force transfer

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Liverpool's work in the transfer window is not over as the Reds maintain an interest in Alexander Isak and require reinforcement to their backline with the Premier League season near
Liverpool have splashed out almost £300million this summer but their work is not yet complete. Arne Slot is still likely to see some change to his squad in the final weeks of the transfer window with key arrivals still in mind and exits to facilitate.
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The Merseyside club have seen the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike arrive at the club and figures such as Jarell Quansah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have departed Anfield. It's been a significant overhaul for a team that won the Premier League last term.
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Captain Virgil van Dijk trusts the Liverpool hierarchy to shape the team as required. "I don't know [if the squad is short], we will find out," the Dutchman said after the Community Shield.
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"What I think is that Hugo made an impression on and off the ball since he came in, great finish by the way. Everything that happened with Diogo, tragic. Lucho and Darwin leaving.
"Those are three senior attackers. I fully trust the club to do the right thing, what they think is good for the club.
"If you look at the players that have come in, I think they played well today. Jeremie and Hugo with the goals, Milos was good, you need time with everything. If you play together you know the strengths and what the player likes in terms of positioning. That is obvious. I don't think in this case there is such a thing as too much change.
Alexander Isak will be at the top of the club's agenda after the Sweden international informed Newcastle he would not play for the Magpies again. Liverpool have already seen a bid knocked back when the Toon asserted the striker was not for sale but the forward has other ideas.
While Slot's frontline may not look in immediate need of reinforcement, the coach's defence may need some support. Liverpool have just three central defenders in Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
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remains a target, though the club do not want to pay over the odds for a player who has a year remaining on his contract. Younger options Giovanni Leoni of Parma and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal of Rennes are also said to be among the club's targets, but not necessarily as an alternative to Guehi.
Exits from Anfield will also be key. Kostas Tsimikas was left out of Liverpool's squad at Wembley on Sunday and could be next out of the club. Leeds have been linked to the Greece star.
Harvey Elliott' s future has also been subject to speculation since Liverpool won the title. The Athletic that Liverpool could accept £40m for Elliott, who has been linked to RB Leipzig.
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Federico Chiesa's opportunities have been few and far between at Anfield. An exit has seemed likely this summer with a number of Italian clubs linked to his signature, but Slot has mentiond the ex-Juventus star among his forward options.
Young stars such as Ben Doak will also require clubs. Premier League sides including Leeds and Wolves are interested in the teenager.
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Dundee United want to see Luca Stephenson return after an impressive loan last season but the likes of Swansea City, Cardiff and Reading are said to be eyeing a permanent move for the 21-year-old midfielder. A new contract a return on loan north of the border seems likely however.
James McConnell and Lewis Koumas have both attracted loan interest from Championship clubs. Teams such as West Brom, Ipswich, Derby County, Oxford United and Swansea are all linked to the former, while Koumas is subject to interest in permanent and temporary moves from Norwich City, Sheffield United, Hull City, Preston North End, Oxford and promoted duo Birmingham City and Wrexham.