Five realistic players Liverpool could sign in the summer

Embed from Getty Images

The Reds look to strengthen their squad in order to be Premier League challengers once again after a 19 point gap separates them and leaders Manchester City. 

Ibrahima Konate

Embed from Getty Images

Despite signing two centre-halves in the January transfer window, Liverpool’s search for an established defender continues.

The Reds are reportedly in the race to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The Merseysiders were also linked with his defensive partner Dayot Upamecano, but the French international has agreed terms with Bayern Munich and is set to join them at the end of the season.

The defender has been linked with Liverpool many times this season ahead of their injury crisis. Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in signing the 21-year old who has a £36 million release clause according to reports, which can be activated in the summer.

Jurgen Klopp signed defenders Ben Davies from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak from Schalke 04 on loan with an option to buy in January. The 20-year-old has made three appearances this season, but it is still early days for the Turk, who looks to impress ahead of a permanent move at the end of the season.

Konate joined Leipzig from Sochaux in 2017 and has emerged as one of the top young centre backs in Europe. He has made 87 appearances for Leipzig scoring four goals. The teenager also has 11 France under 21-caps to his name.

The Reds will look closely at the player as the German side head to Anfield next week ahead of the second leg of the Champions League where Klopp’s men lead, having scored two goals in Hungary.

Erling Haaland

Embed from Getty Images

Liverpool as well as many other English clubs have been linked with the Borussia Dortmund star.

The Norway international has a release clause that can become active in the summer of 2022 for £68 million which is considered a bargain in today’s market and it seems that plenty of clubs are willing to pay more in order to prise him away from the German club.

The 20-year-old signed for Dortmund for just £18 million and has managed to score 27 goals and provide seven assists in 25 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga side this season.

The front three have struggled for form of late and will feel they need to change something up for a chance to be in contention for the top trophies.

Haaland has everything you look for in a centre forward and shown his qualities, with the youngster playing alongside Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota it would be frightening for the Reds next season.

Roberto Firmimo’s goal scoring form has been a major weakness this season, having scored six goals in 25 league games but there also concerns over his link play with Salah and Sadio Mane.

Raphinha

Embed from Getty Images

Many Liverpool fans have urged the Reds to sign Raphinha this summer following his excellent season with newly-promoted Leeds United.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp looks to add strength in depth to his attack.

Liverpool signed Diogo Jogo at the start of the season and despite scoring nine goals in 18 matches the Portuguese international has been out suffering an injury since December, since then Liverpool have struggled for goals, slipping off the top of the table and now 19 points from leaders Man City.

Jurgen Klopp is thought to be a strong admirer of the Brazillian but faces strong competition with rivals Manchester United.

Raphinha can offer the Reds a lot in terms of squad rotations, impact from the bench and with his quality he can make a difference to any side.

The former Rennes man has been in excellent form scoring five goals and provided five assists in 21 appearances so far this season. He has been an asset in getting the Yorkshire side key points this season and to see them move in the top half of the table.

Ben White

Embed from Getty Images

Brighton defender Ben White was one of the Seagulls’ outstanding players as Graham Potter’s side won at Anfield last month and his performance is believed to have caught the Liverpool manager’s eye.

The 23-year-old was a revolution on loan at Leeds and has been a regular at Brighton this season making 29 appearances in all competitions.

As well as defence, White has played in midfield for the Seagulls many times this season. He has the physicality to go head-to-head with any attacking players and has all the aspects in improving this Liverpool squad.

White signed a new contract with the Seagulls last summer which runs until 2024. The South Coast side are desperate to hold onto the defender which is understandable given his form and the potential he can deliver this season.

New signing Ozan Kabak’s performances for the rest of the season could decide Liverpool’s approach in the transfer market this summer but it is believed that he remains one of Klopp’s main targets.

Rodrigo de Paul

Embed from Getty Images

The German manager will go ‘strongly’ for Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul in the summer transfer window. Klopp believes that the Argentinean is key to a rebuild at Anfield and wants to secure his services according to reports in Italy.

With Gini Wijnaldum looking to leave, De Paul would be an ideal replacement. However, the 26-year-old is keen on playing Champions League football and considering the season Liverpool are having now it’s unlikely that they fall under that bracket.

Jurgen Klopp lacks a goal-scoring midfielder and Udinese’s midfielder has five goals to his name as well as providing one assist in 22 appearances for the Italian team proving to be a crucial player this season in their fight for survival.

De Paul was linked with a move to Leeds throughout last summer’s transfer window but wasn’t too happy with the asking price of £34.4m. The Reds reportedly made contact in the January transfer window but no move came about.

Not only could Gini Wijnaldum move on but James Milner is coming to the end of his career. Even though the midfielder could stay at Liverpool, minimum game time will be required.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”527″ heading=”Liverpool” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”59″ heading=”EPL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]