Liverpool are carefully assessing the transfer market instead of rushing into any decisions.
The Reds have become well known for doing their business early on once the window opens.
However, with Euro 2024 and the Copa America underway, signing players is a little more tricky this year. Arne Slot is yet to make his first addition to the Liverpool squad.
A new player will surely come Slot’s way sooner or later though, as FSG work out exactly where to place their resources.
According to journalist David Ornstein, a new attacker is towards the top of Liverpool’s wish list. And with that remit in hand, the identity of the Reds’ top target could be getting clearer.
Johan Bakayoko ‘almost certain’ to leave PSV
Liverpool are keeping their cards relatively close to their chest so far this summer. Although it seems likely that a new centre-back will be targeted as well as a forward, nothing is yet certain.
In reality, the most pressing issue up front for Slot is finding a successor for Mohamed Salah. Even though the Egyptian looks likely to stay with the Reds for another season, he has just one year left on his deal.
In an ideal world, Salah’s replacement would come in an learn under the Liverpool legend for a season before taking over the year after. As a result finding the right player to do that feels like a slightly pressing matter this summer.
So far, there have been plenty of reports suggesting that Liverpool see Johan Bakayoko as the ideal profile. The PSV Eindhoven man had an excellent season.
READ MORE: One player Liverpool should sign from every Euro 2024 squad, including Johan Bakayoko
And according to Dutch outlet Eindhovens Daglad, Bakayoko is now ‘almost certain’ to be finding a new club this summer. They claim that PSV will do business for the 21-year-old at around £42m.
Rumours that Barcelona are readying a move for Bakayoko are also addressed, after reports from Spain put the Belgian on their radar. But according to ED, ‘sources around Bakayoko’ claim that there has been no contact with Barca. Doubt is also cast on the Catalan’s ability to afford the asking-price.
It is reported that the player’s agents are ‘talking to several clubs’ about signing Bakayoko, though. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool are the other two mentioned although, again, it’s said that the potential fee is likely to be out of Dortmund’s reach.
The other clubs involved will reportedly be able to go higher, leaving Liverpool as the likely favourites out of the three named clubs. We’re unlikely to find out imminently, however. With Bakayoko focused on Euro 2024, it’s claimed that a transfer should not be expected until July.
When is Johan Bakayoko next in action at Euro 2024?
Bakayoko looks like being an exciting option for Liverpool. Fast, direct and with an eye for goal, the youngster has the ingredients to be a hit at Anfield.
Despite that, his European Championship did not start in the best of fashion. Starting from the bench for Belgium against Slovakia, Bakayoko could not stop his team from falling to a surprise defeat as a second-half substitute.
The PSV forward will be hoping for a better result in the Belgian’s next game against Romania on Saturday night.
The match is scheduled for the 8pm slot on Saturday, with Romania looking to build on their 3-0 win over Ukraine.
Liverpool fans would be wise to tune in in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Bakayoko.