Liverpool have already spent nearly £200million on new signings this summer but the potential arrivals of Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi could nearly double that amount
What a difference a year makes. Liverpool barely got the chequebook out during Arne Slot’s first summer – now they can’t seem to close it.
You’d forgive the Reds for tightening the pursue strings after splurging £185million on three new signings in June. Florian Wirtz broke the British transfer record while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez didn’t go cheap either.
But Liverpool are showing no signs of cutting back, with two Premier League stars on their radar. Starting up top, Slot’s side are ramping up their pursuit of Alexander Isak.
An approach was made this week, with the Swedish striker valued at an eye-watering £125m. Newcastle insist that Isak, 25, isn’t for sale but it could be the beginning of a saga if Liverpool dangle the carrot.
At the back, Marc Guehi is a target. Mirror Football recently reported that the Premier League champions are closing in on the England international, whose contract with Crystal Palace expires next summer.
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Guehi wouldn’t come cheap, with the 25-year-old due to lead Palace into Europe after captaining them to a memorable FA Cup win. Part of the reasoning behind Liverpool’s interest in Guehi is the fact Ibrahima Konate finds himself in a similar situation at Anfield.
The Reds centre-back looks set to run down his contract amid reports that he could follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps and join Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2026. Some fans have urged Liverpool to cash in on Konate – or even relegate him to the bench if Guehi signs.
The former Chelsea prospect would slot into an already new-look defence, with Frimpong and Kerkez set to be the full-backs and Virgil van Dijk the sole remaining figure from last season. They’d still have the reliable Alisson Becker behind them in goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili having been signed with a view to becoming his long-term successor.
Continuing with Slot’s trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister would remain as the double pivot at the base of midfield but it won’t be Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of them if Wirtz is employed in his favourite position. Although the versatile German can play on the left wing or as a striker, Slot would likely get the best out of him in the No.10 role.
Mo Salah is a non-discussion on the right flank while Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz – the latter of whom reportedly wants to leave – would operate on the opposite wing. And through the middle, there’s no doubt that Isak would lead the line.
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Negotiations for those yet-to-be-completed deals would, of course, take time and the Reds have less than a month until they open their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15. Liverpool’s first competitive match is six days beforehand, facing Palace in Community Shield.
As things stand, Guehi will be marshalling Palace’s defence. Later next month, Slot and Co. make the trip to Newcastle, where they may well have to defend against Isak if they can’t complete a record-breaking transfer deal before then.
Liverpool’s potential starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Guehi, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
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