Latest news with #Slot
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arne Slot's Florian Wirtz intervention as Saudi clubs prepare Liverpool swoop
Liverpool might have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold but they are still hopeful of having a huge transfer window to help retain their title as they bid to close deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz Liverpool have a big transfer window ahead of them as they look to retain their Premier League title next season. Arne Slot managed to win the title in his first season in charge but the Dutchman is now preparing for some major changes to his side. He's already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, who have paid a fee of £10million to take him early in time for the Club World Cup, and Jeremie Frimpong is set to arrive as his replacement. Slot will also be eager to secure some more strength in depth at centre-back and in attack as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah approach the twilight of their careers. There are some targets who are high up on Slot's shortlist - such as Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz - while the likes of Darwin Nunez has been linked with the exit door. With that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest Liverpool transfer news as we approach the start of the summer window. How Slot convinced Wirtz Liverpool are edging closer to signing Wirtz after lodging an improved bid closer to Bayer Leverkusen's £126million valuation of the talented star. Signing Wirtz would be a major coup given the amount of top teams who are interested in the 22-year-old - regarded as one of the most promising midfield stars in world football. Wirtz has just registered 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions and he is now expected to move to an elite side that can challenge for silverware every season. Previously, Leverkusen's rivals Bayern Munich looked like favourites to sign Wirtz, but now Liverpool appear to have jumped to the front of the queue thanks to a conversation with boss Slot. According to the Mail, Wirtz was "captivated" by Slot during talks in England earlier this month and cited his "passion" for Liverpool and the power of the supporters. In the same chat, it's claimed Slot shared his vision for the club and how Wirtz fitted into that plan, vowing to make him a key part of his side should he join. Al Nassr monitoring Diaz Liverpool have already lost Alexander-Arnold and now another star is in danger of departing after reports that Al Nassr are eyeing up a move for Luis Diaz. The Colombian is set to enter the last two years of his contract at Anfield with no new talks over a deal expected as of yet. Al Nassr are preparing for the expected exit of Cristiano Ronaldo amid speculation the Portuguese superstar is set to leave. The Manchester United legend put out a statement teasing an exit as he claimed "this chapter is over" following the club's final match of the season. Saudi chiefs were eager to lure Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to their league this summer, but after the Egyptian signed a new deal they are now turning their attentions to his team-mate Diaz, according to the Times. Al Hilal are also interested in the forward, the report claims - though the club themselves are said to be looking at Ronaldo too, meaning his future could depend on where Diaz ends up. Alexander-Arnold's transfer package revealed Now that Alexander-Arnold's move to Madrid has been confirmed, we can discuss the fine print of his deal. We now know that Liverpool won't be left empty handed from his switch to the Bernabeu, despite being expected to leave on a free transfer. Madrid have actually paid Liverpool a small fee for his services after opting to sign him before the end of his contract on June 30. Liverpool will collect a total of £10million for their boyhood talent - who joined them 20 years ago as a six-year-old. The Reds will rake in £8.4m plus his remaining wages. He is set to sign a six-year deal worth more than £220,000-a-week.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz getting 'better boss' after Liverpool U-turn as new details emerge
Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz is closing in on a move to Liverpool and Reds fans' have Arne Slot to thank after new details about the German's transfer aspirations were revealed Florian Wirtz has been told Arne Slot is a better manager than Erik ten Hag as the Liverpool boss was revealed to have played a major role in the German's potential move to Anfield. The future of the Bayer Leverkusen star was already set to be a major talking point this summer with the Premier League champions, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City all in the hunt for the 22-year-old. Conversations surrounding Wirtz's next move indicated that a transfer to the German champions was most likely until he conducted a meeting with Slot, alongside his father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz. The intervention from the Reds boss was said to have proved critical in the attacking midfielder deciding to snub Bayern in order to move abroad for the first time in his career. According to Bild, the meeting on May 13 saw Slot provide Wirtz with a clear picture of where he'll fit within his title-winning team and was promised of a starring role in the side's attack. Becoming enamoured with promises of a central role within one of the world's best teams, as well as being informed of the fervent support that the club possesses from their fans, resulted in Wirtz's father informing Bayern executives Uli Hoeness and Max Eberl that it was Liverpool who had won the race for his son's signature. Wirtz could have ended up playing for Ten Hag next season, had he chosen to remain with Leverkusen, after the former Manchester United boss was announced as their new manager following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. However, a move to Liverpool will see the Wirtz team up with the better manager, according to Mark Diemers. The Cambuur midfielder enjoyed spells playing under both managers, having spent a brief period alongside the ex- United boss at Utrecht before joining Slot during his time at Feyenoord. Best positioned to give an opinion on the managerial abilities of both men, the 31-year-old had a clear opinion when admitting who he enjoyed working with more. "I choose Arne Slot," he told ESPN Netherlands last year when asked about the best manager he has worked with. "I can only talk from my time. I found Ten Hag insanely good tactically, so were his training sessions. I just didn't think he was very good, at that time, on a human level. But that was already six or seven years ago. I thought Slot was a lot stronger on a human level. "Look at what kind of clubs [Ten Hag] has worked at, so he must also have qualities on a human level. I still have contact with him via WhatsApp. Then he also comes across as very friendly to me. He will undoubtedly have grown on a human level as well." Despite the lack of consistent success in Manchester – and some issues in the dressing room – Ten Hag still managed to win two trophies in his time at the club as he made sure to maintain his status as a manager who is adept in capturing silverware. Ten Hag also won plaudits for his style of play at Ajax, which encouraged United to initially make a move for the 55-year-old. However, it's Slot who has arguably managed to cement himself as the better of the two in recent times following title successes with Feyenoord and, of course, Liverpool in his first season in as boss of the Premier League club.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised 'very good' Farioli
The Dutchman, who led Liverpool to Premier League victory last season, expressed admiration for Farioli's efforts at Ajax. Slot praised Farioli for revitalising Ajax's performance, saying he "instilled confidence and vigour" in the team after a disappointing campaign. Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie but surrendered a nine-point lead, allowing PSV to clinch the title. Despite this, Slot defended Farioli, attributing Ajax's title collapse to PSV's superior attacking force. Read more: Francesco Farioli 'wants' English job and linked to Serie A amid Rangers talks Rangers takeover update as manager appointment timeline 'changes' Slot, who managed Feyenoord before joining Liverpool, said: "You can do very well as a manager, but in the end, you have to have players who make the difference." He challenged the notion that Farioli favours defensive football, asserting that Ajax played with a "good build-up from the back" and consistently applied pressure on opponents. He noted that these were elements of Farioli's management style. Slot said: "Example: from what I've seen, I think Francesco Farioli is a very good manager. "I've heard that he was only defensive and all that, but when I watched Ajax, I always saw a good build-up from the back, where they could always find a free man and put the opponents under good pressure. "That's what you influence as a manager. "Farioli was just unlucky that PSV and Feyenoord had a lot of much, much better strikers than he did."
The National
a day ago
- Sport
- The National
What Arne Slot said on Rangers contender Francesco Farioli
Slot had a wonderful first season in English football, wrestling the title back from Manchester City as the Reds lifted it for the first time in five years. He did so in style with the Anfield club runaway leaders and earning plenty of praise in the process. However, the Dutchman had one eye on what was happening back in his homeland as Ajax threw away a nine-point lead to allow PSV to win the Eredivisie, his old club Feyenoord sitting third. Read more: Francesco Farioli's Ajax exit explained amid Rangers boss talks Steven Gerrard out of Rangers manager running despite King 'obvious choice' call Farioli had instilled confidence and vigour back at Ajax after a poor campaign before he came in, finishing fifth. But he decided to quit after that title collapse. Slot defended him, insisting PSV had more firepower up front which is out of the coach's control. And he also hit out at claims he plays defensive football. The Liverpool boss said: "You can do very well as a manager, but in the end you have to have players who make the difference. "Example: from what I've seen, I think Francesco Farioli is a very good manager. I've heard that he was only defensive and all that, but when I watched Ajax, I always saw a good build-up from the back, where they could always find a free man and put the opponents under good pressure. "That's what you influence as a manager. Farioli was just unlucky that PSV and Feyenoord had a lot of much, much better strikers than he did."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Long-term transfer target hints he's READY for Liverpool move
Frendrup a Serie A statistical marvel Following another stellar campaign for the Serie A side, Frendrup is once again considered a target. Last month JuveFC revealed that Liverpool were among many potential suitors for the Denmark international, who scored two goals for his club side in the Italian top flight last season. Advertisement 'Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Brentford from England are also keen on the midfielder. Liverpool is seeking to bolster their ahead of next season, with manager Arne Slot reportedly considering Frendrup's energetic and combative style as an ideal addition to his team.' And it's no wonder Frendrup has stood out to Slot and his staff. Across the Serie A season according to FOTMOB, he won 61 tackles - placing him in the 100th percentile among players in his position. He also finished in the 96th percentile for duels won (173), the 100th for interceptions (47), the 97th for recoveries (184) and the 100th for possessions won in the final third (20). Frendrup admits he's a Liverpool fan? In a recent interview the 24-year-old hinted at his ideal destination when discussing transfer links with other clubs. Advertisement In a potential sign of encouragement for Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, the midfielder expressed a preference for Liverpool. "I am flattered by links with some big clubs,' he told GIVEMESPORT. "However, my only focus is on Genoa. I like to stay in the present. It's nice to see my name mentioned with Premier League or European teams, but I think it's important to keep my feet on the ground and stay in the present. "As a child, I grew up watching a lot of the Premier League, and Liverpool games in particular. I have always liked Steven Gerrard. He was the player I watched the most when I was younger. Generally, people in Denmark either follow Liverpool or Manchester United!" Brentford and West Ham are among the Premier League teams mooted as potential destinations in the same GIVEMESPORT report - while Fiorentina and AC Milan are also thought to be keen.
