Liverpool have already completed the majority of their key transfer business before training resumed last week.
New signings Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez have been brought in to strengthen several positions across the squad.
Including Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joined last year, and Armin Pecsi, Liverpool’s total summer spending has surpassed £200million.
The Reds show no signs of slowing down, with Marc Guehi, Alexsander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike still heavily linked and uncertainty surrounding the futures of several current players.
Liverpool could potentially see departures this summer, with Darwin Nunez, Luis Díaz, and Harvey Elliott among those who might follow Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhín Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, and Nat Phillips out the door.
Binge Football spoke exclusively to transfer expert Ben Jacobs to get the latest updates on Liverpool’s transfer activity.
Konate Calm Amid Real Madrid Interest
Ibrahima Konate is now in the final year of his contract at Anfield, but contract renewal talks with Liverpool have reportedly stalled in recent months.
The Reds are eager to resolve Konate’s contract situation, but it seems the 26-year-old may be holding out for a move to Real Madrid. From January 1, he will be free to speak with Los Blancos directly.
Liverpool are also planning to strengthen their central defence before the transfer window closes, having recently sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million.
Jacobs said: “There is no change to the Ibrahima Konate’s situation yet. There is no progress on a new deal. Yet Liverpool showed with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah that they are prepared to let contracts run down.
“Real Madrid have certainly discussed Konate, and so have PSG. He’s a market opportunity currently. Saudi clubs have also tried to make an approach, but Konate prefers to stay in Europe.
“Liverpool will want to find another centre-back regardless of Konate’s future. Ajax’s Jorrel Hato is one left-sided option, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi could develop, but only at the right price.
“Liverpool appear calm about Konate’s future for now, and haven’t yet received any formal bids. We’ll have to see if that changes between now and the end of the window.”
Nunez’s Future Hinges on Player’s Decision
Darwin Nunez could see his proposed transfer to Napoli officially off, despite growing speculation about his future at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan striker, who scored in a recent friendly against Preston North End, has struggled to secure regular playing time under new manager Arne Slot.
Nunez managed just seven goals last season as Liverpool clinched the Premier League title.
Since his high-profile move from Benfica in 2022, the 26-year-old has struggled to meet expectations, prompting interest from several clubs, including Napoli, AC Milan, and Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Jacobs added: “Darwin Nunez remains a target for Saudi clubs. Do you foresee the 28-year-old leaving Liverpool this summer?
“The situation with Darwin Nunez is clear: Liverpool want a similar figure to the €70m they rejected from Al-Nassr in January.
“Al-Hilal could still be one to watch, especially if Victor Osimhen doesn’t come off. Galatasaray are really the ones pushing to try and find an agreement with Napoli as it stands.
“Hilal also make checks on Benjamin Sesko and even Viktor Gyokeres and Simone Inzaghi would love to somehow find a way to land Marcus Thuram, but keep an eye on Nunez as well.
“Nunez’s preference was to go to Napoli, but that move is off as it stands. Liverpool would gladly now sell to Saudi Arabia as they know they will get their asking price. It all depends now on Nunez.
“If he opens the door to Saudi, an exit will likely happen quite quickly. If not, European clubs could drag out negotiations in the hope that the asking price drops.
No Strong Links to Jean-Philippe Mateta
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer.
The Reds are looking to strengthen their attack following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and with Darwin Nunez likely to depart.
Mateta finished last season with an impressive tally of 17 goals and 4 assists in 46 appearances.
Jacobs concluded: “I haven’t heard much on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Liverpool.
“I come back to what I said before: Liverpool have two leading targets for their new No.9 position, Alexsander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
“Any other names are secondary, at least for now. Benjamin Sesko has also been discussed, and prior to his Chelsea move, Liverpool held some internal talks on Joao Pedro.
“Mateta is not a player Palace want to lose, and I don’t see a scenario where they sanction a Mateta and Eberechi Eze exit in the same window.
“I think a lot of clubs may enquire on Mateta later in the window, perhaps if they lose out on other targets, but Liverpool’s desire to add Isak or Ekitike is obvious right now.
“That’s where they are currently putting their time and efforts in the market, as evidenced by the approaches to both clubs in the last 48 hours.”
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