Liverpool are firming up their plans as they prepare to dip into the summer transfer market.
The Reds are currently overseeing a real period of transition, as Jurgen Klopp’s glorious era fades into the distance.
Arne Slot has still yet to speak publicly since taking office at the AXA Training Centre. However, work is surely going on behind the scenes already.
Slot himself is reportedly settling into the area with his family as he readies himself for the biggest job of his career. But as the head coach lays down some roots, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will be assessing the market.
It has been claimed that one area of the Liverpool squad that could be upgraded is in attack. And journalist Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on one ‘big’ player who could be on his way to Anfield.
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are watching Johan Bakayoko
Liverpool reportedly want to make an attacking signing to bolster the options they already have.
There have been rumours that Luis Diaz could leave, but it seems that for now the Reds are actually happy to keep Diaz. Any new addition would seemingly be as an extra body rather than a replacement.
One of the players to have been heavily linked so far this summer has been PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko. And speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Romano says Bakayoko is certainly on Liverpool’s radar.
“There are many clubs looking at Bakayoko, not only Liverpool,” says the journalist. “I could mention six or seven clubs who are asking for information. He is one of the best talents around Europe in his position.
READ MORE: Johan Bakayoko speaks out about potential summer move to the Premier League
“At the moment, I am not aware of anything advanced with Liverpool,” Romano adds. “In terms of scouting, for sure, he is a player they know very well, but they have not started concrete negotiations for Bakayoko.”
So, Liverpool are far from alone in being admirers of Bakayoko. Romano goes as far as saying that the 21-year-old will be ‘one of the names of the transfer market’.
“There are many clubs in England, but also in Germany, who are interested,” he reports. “There are many possibilities for him, so he wants to take his time to see the best opportunity.
“He is going to be one of the names for the transfer market, for sure, he will be one of the big names to follow. But at the moment, it’s not something imminent. I do not expect any imminent movement around Bakayoko.”
What do Liverpool like about Johan Bakayoko?
You can understand why Bakayoko is in such high demand at the moment. The PSV man scored 14 goals and laid on 14 assists this season.
For such a young player to be putting up numbers like that suggests he’s got a very bright future ahead of him.
Bakayoko is also a left-footed forward, something Liverpool will have to be thinking about as Mohamed Salah nears the end of his contract.
Quick, direct and relatively prolific, Bakayoko could be an ideal successor to Salah.
With the youngster heading to Euro 2024 with Belgium this summer, his talents could reach an even wider audience.
As a result, although there is nothing ‘imminent’ expected with Bakayoko, perhaps Liverpool need to try and change that before he truly explodes in front of the continent.