Liverpool have a busy summer ahead of them in the market as they look to give Arne Slot the best possible start as Reds manager.
Slot has taken the reins from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and the club’s hierarchy will be eager to make sure his squad is as strong as possible for the season.
Liverpool have been linked with many top players in recent months, and now a report has claimed that the Reds are making good progress in pursuit of a particular midfielder.
The player in question is Atalanta’s Ederson, who helped his club win their first ever trophy just a few weeks ago by winning the Europa League final.
According to Sports Zone, the 24-year-old midfielder – who Liverpool have followed this season – is close to an agreement in principle with the Reds over contract terms.
Earlier on Thursday, Jorge Nicola reported that Liverpool had submitted a bid worth around €45million (£39million) for Ederson, though he didn’t specify how Atalanta responded.
Who is Liverpool target Ederson?
Atalanta’s Ederson – not to be confused with his namesake at Manchester City – has enjoyed a swift rise to prominence since arriving in Europe.
He joined Italian club Salernitana from Brazilian outfit Corinthians in January 2022, and within six months, he was on the way to Atalanta for around £18million.
This season, Ederson has made 53 appearances, registering seven goals and one assist, in a truly historic campaign for La Dea.
Atalanta went all the way in the Europa League, beating Liverpool along the way before thrashing Bayer Leverkusen in the final to win the first major trophy in their history.
In January, Sky Sports spoke to Tiago Nunes, Ederson’s former head coach at Corinthians, to gain an insight on the player.
“He is a box-to-box player with the energy to keep going back and forth all the time,” said Nunes.
“My first impressions were of a player with a lot of strength, a lot of physical ability, a player who was a powerful striker on the ball, with good technique.
“Basically, someone with characteristics that are difficult to find, especially in Brazilian football.”
Nunes continued: “He has two main strengths.
“Firstly, on the pitch, he has great physical strength, with the ability to play box-to-box, back and forth, sustaining the pace of the game.
“Secondly, he has a very strong mentality, with a very clear awareness of what he wants.”