Liverpool’s dream transfer window: Diaz replaced by £60m star and Slot boosts midfield

It’s set to be a critical summer at Liverpool following the emotional departure of manager Jurgen Klopp. After weeks of intense speculation, Arne Slot has been confirmed as the man to replace the charismatic German, and his first task will be to help identify the players the Reds need this summer to ensure there is no hangover from the managerial change.

The former Feyenoord boss will have to make an immediate call over one player returning to Merseyside this month.

Fabio Carvalho cost £7.7million when he signed from Fulham two years ago, and has impressed in the Championship since January when he sealed a loan move to Hull City.

But discussions between the new boss and the returning Michael Edwards will also centre around which players will stay at the club. It’s already been confirmed that Joel Matip and Thiago will leave this summer when their contracts expire, while Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move to Spain.

Darwin Nunez meanwhile, is yet to convince in front of goal after joining from Benfica in 2022 in a deal potentially worth £85m, and cut a frustrated figure during Klopp’s farewell on Sunday after again being left out of the starting XI. Here, Express Sport brings you three outcomes that would mark a perfect summer transfer window for the Reds as a new era begins….

Big Diaz deal

Colombian forward Diaz was considered a bargain when he arrived from Porto in January for £37.5m, but his 2023/24 campaign has been plagued by an apparent lack of clinical ability, missing key chances in the defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton in particular. His father has also regularly flagged up his son’s ambition to join Barcelona, a notion that Diaz himself hasn’t exactly played down.

Selling the 27-year-old would be smart business given his contract runs until 2027, meaning Liverpool could demand a substantial fee from Barca. And it would also free up funds to sign a Premier League star who has already dazzled at Anfield this year.

Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise was outstanding as the Eagles won 1-0 in Merseyside in April, and despite two separate injury lay-offs was again pivotal to the London club last season. He will reportedly be available for a £60m fee, and at just 22, would represent an exciting long term investment for the club.

Bargain bid

And now appears the ideal time for the club to strike following their lengthy pursuit of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, who was touted to move to Liverpool throughout the summer of 2023. With just one year left on his contract, Nice-Matin is reporting that the son of French World Cup winner Lilian will be available for a cut-price fee between £12-20m, and at 23 appears an ideal long-term replacement for Thiago.

Feyenoord raid

The appointment of Slot also puts Liverpool in pole position to snare another young star of European football. Feyenoord centre back and Dutch international Lutsharel Geertruida, 23, has worked under Slot in the past three seasons, and his £25m valuation is unlikely to deter his former manager from trying to take him with him to England with Matip having departed.