Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot plans for life after Mo Salah and Milos Kerkez speaks out (Image: Getty/Express Sport)
are already making transfer plans for the future despite taking another step towards the title on Saturday.
The Reds beat Brentford 2-0 thanks to a and have gone six points clear with a game in hand.
‘s have been far and away the most consistent team in the top flight, even though their £12million capture of Federico Chiesa from Juventus was their only summer signing to come into this season’s squad.
But with doubts emerging over the futures of , and Virgil van Dijk, the Merseyside outfit may have no choice but to in the coming weeks and months.
Express Sport takes a close look at the latest transfer news and rumours.
Slot seriously considers Salah replacement
is giving serious consideration to signing Bryan Mbeumo as a replacement for this summer, according to reports.
Mbeumo has been one of the most consistent attackers in the , scoring 13 goals in 21 appearances, and has also been linked with .
could be tempted to make a move for the 26-year-old if Salah leaves the club this summer, with his contract due to expire in June. The Egyptian, 32, has made it clear he would like to stay at Anfield, but the two parties are not close to agreeing an extension.
Rousing The Kop report Brentford are not prepared to entertain offers in January for Mbeumo, but a summer move is likely for the Cameroon international, who has 18 months left on his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The report claims that the Bees expect Mbeumo to fetch a ‘club-record fee’, which currently stands at £40m after joined Al-Ahli in the summer, and will listen to offers in the region of £50m-60m.
Bryan Mbeumo has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Kerkez speaks out
Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez, who is a reported target for this month, has broken his silence on his future. The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the ‘s top performers in the left-back role – a position are considering strengthening as they search for a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson.
After scoring in the 4-1 win over on Saturday, Kerkez took to social media with a cryptic post – seemingly responding to speculation concerning his future. He said in an post: “I talk on the pitch,” alongside an image of him taking his shirt off celebrating his goal at St James’ Park.
star Dominik Szoboszlai may have a part to play in helping the Reds land the young defender. And it seems Szoboszlai is doing all he can to smooth things over by congratulating his fellow Hungarian with a motivational comment, writing: “Yes my son”, accompanying it with a red love heart emoji.
Given that ‘s sporting director Richard Hughes was the man who signed Kerkez while employed by the Cherries, it may not take much to convince him to follow them to Anfield.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a Liverpool target (Image: Getty)
Van Dijk in Saudi talks
captain Virgil van Dijk has reportedly held talks over a free transfer to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal.
Despite holding an important role in the squad, the Dutchman is out of contract in the summer and is yet to be offered an extension, which indicates he will be ending his six-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield.
Middle Eastern-based journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan has claimed Al-Hilal are in ‘serious negotiations’ to sign Van Dijk in the summer when his contract expires in June. The report also states that the club’s president, Fahad bin Nafel, met with the Dutchman’s agent in London to discuss the terms of a lucrative contract.
The Saudi Pro League club are keen to snap up the Dutchman in time for him to play at the Club World Cup in the USA. However, it remains to be seen whether the 33-year-old would be able to participate, given that the tournament begins on June 14 – over two weeks before his contract is due to end.
Virgil van Dijk could be on his way out of Liverpool this summer (Image: Getty)