Liverpool are starting to prepare for their first transfer window under new head coach Arne Slot.
It’s a big summer for Liverpool who need to make sure they give Slot the best tools possible to succeed in his debut season at Anfield.
And while a centre-back reportedly remains the priority for FSG, the Reds are also said to be looking for a new attacker, too.
The latter arrival will be the one which excites supporters more, and they’ve already been linked with players who will get bums off seats. Johan Bakayoko appears to be an option, but he isn’t the only one.
And while Liverpool are seemingly looking for players to help the first-team squad in the here and now, they always have one eye on the future, too.
Liverpool ‘lining up’ for Brajan Gruda
Liverpool have been really good at plucking young players from rival academies over recent seasons.
While they have nurtured some top talent through their own academy, the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ben Doak and Bobby Clark have supplemented those coming through.
After Brexit, British clubs have been forced to look closer to home to poach potential superstars coming through. This has meant less of a focus on signing up wonderkids from abroad.
Nevertheless, every now and then one comes along who really catches your eye. You’ve got to give it a try. And according to SportBILD, Liverpool – and a number of their Premier League colleagues – have their eye on a big prospect in the Bundesliga.
They claim that the Reds are ‘lining up’ to get first dibs at Mainz forward Brajan Gruda. The 19-year-old has four goals and three assists in 19 starts this season.
Competition is said to be fierce for Gruda though, with Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and Newcastle all reportedly interested, too. Leverkusen are claimed to be ready to pay £17m for the teenager.
Sepp van den Berg hails Brajan Gruda courage
At Mainz, Gruda has of course been teammates with on-loan Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg.
Van den Berg had a really good season with Jurgen Klopp’s old team and could be in-line for a role under Arne Slot next season.
And if Gruda really is one the shortlist, then it will be music to the ears of the Dutch defender.
Speaking via archysport.com, Van den Berg praised his young teammate for playing in a 1-0 win over Augsburg despite suffering a boot to the face in training and requiring six stitches.
“I have a lot of respect for Brajan for playing today and I’m very proud of him,” said the 22-year-old.
If Liverpool were looking for a character reference, it seems they may have just found it.