Liverpool are expected to be in the market for a new forward player over the summer transfer window.
Having had a good season, Liverpool don’t need to be adding to or altering their squad too much.
However, there are certainly a couple of changes that can be made to improve the first-team. If the Reds want to go one better in the title race under Arne Slot next year, they have to address that.
One area that has been clearly lacking in 2023/24 is Liverpool’s forward line. Although stacked with quality – and expensive – players, their finishing has been terrible for large parts.
With question marks over the futures of both Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, not to mention Darwin Nunez, new blood is a priority. And according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool have an idea over who the answer could be.
Liverpool scouting Johan Bakayoko
Different supporters will have differing ideas over what kind of forward Liverpool need to add.
Some will perhaps claim that a clinical number nine is the answer we’re currently missing. Others will conclude that Liverpool simply need a more dangerous, electric type winger who can score more than Diaz, for example.
While it remains unclear exactly what the FSG themselves think, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive.
One who has been copiously linked is PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko. On Tuesday it was claimed that Slot has given the go-ahead for Liverpool to sign £43m man Bakayoko. And speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs confirms that the 21-year-old is definitely on the Reds’ radar.
“I don’t expect Liverpool to change many of their targets, which I would expect to have been in place before they actually finalised and subsequently announced Arne Slot’s appointment,” says the reporter.
“But what we do know is that Liverpool want a wide player; whether you call that a winger, a creative-minded player, or a wide forward,” Jacobs adds.
“And it is true that Bakayoko has been scouted, but that doesn’t mean a great deal in modern football. You scout hundreds of players, but he’s one that Liverpool have done their due diligence on.”
Why do Liverpool want Johan Bakayoko?
Bakayoko has been one of the breakout stars of a superb season for PSV.
As Slot will know all too well, Peter Bosz’s side have been brilliant this term. Their points of tally of 91 was unheard of in the Eredivisie. Slot and his Feyenoord team had to settle for second place.
And Bakayoko has been at the heart of it all. A left-footed, right-sided forward, the Belgium international looks like an obvious replacement for Salah.
Improving year on year, Bakayoko now looks like a player ready to make the step up from the Dutch league.
Obviously, as a PSV youth team graduate, the forward would also have a strong ally at Anfield. Cody Gakpo may be a few years older than Bakayoko, but they did share a team together for a little while.
Should the younger man join this summer, he’d be able to look and learn from Gakpo.
Handily, this could also provide Liverpool with some inside information on Bakayoko. We know they like to be thorough in their recruitment and Gakpo can give them the perfect character reference. Keep an eye on this one.