Liverpool finally look like kicking themselves into gear in the transfer market this summer.
The summer international tournaments plus Arne Slot’s recent arrival appear to have delayed any business being done so far.
But the Euros and Copa America will be over in around about two weeks. Liverpool need to start firming up their moves.
There was big news in that respect on Saturday, with reports that the Reds have been in talks with Newcastle over Anthony Gordon. For now, that deal looks to be off, but maybe things can still change.
In the meantime, another winger has been speaking about a potential move to Anfield this summer.
Igor Paixao responds to Liverpool claims
Liverpool are reportedly in the market for a new forward this summer. They are starting to future proof for life post Mohamed Salah, whenever that may be.
As a result, plenty of attackers have been linked with the Reds. Gordon is one, but players such as Johan Bakayoko have also been heavily rumoured to be joining.
After Slot’s arrival, there were also claims that Liverpool could raid his former club, Feyenoord. Striker Santiago Gimenez is one who has been mentioned as being a potential target.
Gimenez was often the star of the show for Slot’s attack in Rotterdam, but he was not the only eye-catching talent.
READ MORE: Feyenoord have a £43m player who could easily solve a big problem for Liverpool
Last season, Liverpool’s new head coach often played Gimenez with Brazilian Igor Paixao to his left. Paixao bagged 12 goals in 45 games across all competitions.
And according to the 24-year-old himself, this has led to interest in his services. Speaking to Brazilian outlet Globo, Paixao was asked whether he is about to join Slot at Liverpool.
“I’m listening and watching social media,” replied the former Coritiba forward. “A lot of people always tagging me and asking: are you going to Liverpool?
“I don’t know anything, I’m just waiting,” adds Paixao. “But Dutch football is pretty cool. The intensity is the big differential.”
Who is Igor Paixao?
Paixao has been with Slot at Feyenoord since summer of 2022, when he joined from Coritiba. Since then, the attacker has managed 82 appearances for the Rotterdammers, scoring 21 goals. Not a bad record for a young player making his way in Europe.
As a right-footed left winger, Paixao is perhaps not exactly what Liverpool need this summer, but it’s clear that he has plenty of respect for Slot.
“He did an exceptional job together with our cast,” he said. “I just have to thank him and wish him success at Liverpool. He will be missed, but he has to keep working.”
For Slot, Paixao’s transfer did not always work out. In quotes from Get Football News, the Liverpool head coach admitted that the language barrier upon the Brazilian’s arrival had made things ‘difficult’.
“It’s incredibly difficult when I say ‘go, go, go’ and he doesn’t know what I mean,” he said. “With ‘press, press, press’, he doesn’t know what I’m saying either. If you have a lot of trouble communicating with your fellow players, you have to be very good if you want to make a difference.”
Paixao’s communication has no doubt improved since then, but we don’t see him joining Slot in Liverpool.