Liverpool are looking into bolstering their forward line ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Reds already have a number of excellent options in attack but have been let down by some wasteful finishing this term.
With question marks hanging over the future of Luis Diaz in particular, there’s an obvious need for Arne Slot to address in the transfer market.
There remains a chance that Mohamed Salah leaves, too. With Salah being a specialist left-footed forward, and no natural successor in the Liverpool squad, he would need replacing as well.
In that respect, the Reds have been strongly linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko. And the 21-year-old has now opened up on his potential plans for the summer.
Johan Bakayoko leaves door open to the Premier League
Bakayoko has had a really impressive season with PSV. After bursting through the Dutch side’s academy, he scored 12 goals and grabbed nine assists on the way to winning the Eredivisie title.
His explosive performances have reportedly caught the attention of Liverpool’s scouts, but they won’t have been the only ones alerted.
With Bakayoko set to feature for Belgium at Euro 2024, there have been claims that he could move quickly after the tournament.
And speaking to The Athletic on Friday, the forward opened up on where he could see himself playing after PSV.
“I didn’t talk about leaving so I didn’t understand why people were saying: ‘Oh, why didn’t he move?’. There was no option of leaving,” says Bakayoko, addressing an apparent snub of Burnley last season.
“But that’s part of football. People give their opinion.
“I see myself playing everywhere, anywhere. I follow the Premier League — I have friends there,” he adds. “I also have friends that play in Germany, so I watch a lot of games when they play. But this season I haven’t even talked about leaving.
“I was just thinking about preparing for the Euros, just trying my best to be fit.”
Arne Slot gives green light to Johan Bakayoko move
Bakayoko is certainly one to keep an eye on this summer. Even if Salah does not move, there feels like a chance he could end up at Anfield.
Having seen him up close in the Dutch league for the past couple of seasons, it has also been claimed that Slot has already given his approval of Bakayoko’s signing.
READ MORE: Liverpool confirmed signings, exits and releases ahead of 2024/25
With a price-tag reportedly set at around £43m, the Belgium international would be affordable for Liverpool, too.
In our opinion, it sounds like Bakayoko is very much open to leaving for new pastures this summer.
However, Liverpool are going to have to be quick to snap him up. There can’t be any dilly-dallying about.
In an ideal world, Bakayoko can come in this summer and get his feet under the table before Salah’s seemingly inevitable exit in 2025.