Euro Paper Talk: First FOUR signings at Slot Arne in Liverpool named with €150m planned; Leeds will sign the Dortmund star on one condition

Liverpool have identified the top four signings of the Arne Slot era and are ready to spend £128m to land them, Leeds have held talks to make a Borussia Dortmund star their first signing of the summer, while Arsenal has the green light to sign a euro. 65 m striker.

FIRST LIVERPOOL SIGNING FROM SLOT NEAR WITH OFFER ‘OVER 50% DONE’

Liverpool are closing in on the first signing of the Arne Slot era at Anfield with a deal for Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida said to be more than 50% complete.

The Dutch coach was officially confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement on Monday, less than 24 hours after the charismatic German coach bid his final farewell to a sun-drenched and highly emotional Anfield.

Signing an initial three-year deal at Anfield, due to start on June 1, Slot leaves Feyenoord after leading the Eredivive side to two major trophies in two seasons.

However, work to strengthen Liverpool’s squad is already underway, with Slot clarifying a number of areas he wants to strengthen, with the defense widely seen as an area of ​​the squad to improve.

As a result, we understand Slot wants to make at least one and potentially two defensive additions ahead of next season – and now it looks like the first of those is already on the way in the form of Geertruida.

The 23-year-old became a versatile player for Slot at Feyenoord, operating at right-back, centre-half and even as a holding midfielder during their time together at De Kuip.

However, with his contract with the Rotterdam giants set to expire in the summer of 2025, Feyenoord are expected to sell the seven-time Dutch star this summer.

A player well known to both Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, Geertruida should fit in effortlessly at Anfield, with the player now set to become the first signing of the new era on Merseyside.

Geertruida tells us about the importance of Arne Slot

The player refused to offer anything about his future when asked by 1908.nl, but was quick to point out the influence Slot has had on his career.

“I simply cannot give a clear answer to the question of whether Excelsior at home was also my last game,” he said.

“There is still little to say about it. What I mean is that it’s stupid that I would have asked a lot of money to sign. There is no longer any talk of a contract extension. Such things are then thrown in the media and that’s annoying because it’s not right.

“The appreciation for the coach was obvious. It has changed a lot and we have made great leaps forward in terms of football. I was a defender, but I played a lot in the middle. The slot was very important for my career.”

While the player confirms that talks over a new deal have stalled, new Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to secure the player’s signing at Anfield on a four-year deal as his first deal at Anfield, with an offer worth €25m (£21.4m) is likely to be enough to convince Feyenoord to sell.

Liverpool want three more big-money signings after the Feyenoord man

However, Geertruida is not the only defender Liverpool are aiming to sign, with reports in Spain now citing the Reds as heavy favorites in the race to sign Antonio Silva.

The Benfica defender has thrived under Roger Schmidt and is now regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football.

Having played 90 times over the past two seasons, Silva has also won nine caps for Portugal, earning him comparisons with Manchester City’s brilliant defender Ruben Dias.

With an exit clause of 100 million euros, Silva will not come cheap, having recently been under the attention of Manchester United and Real Madrid.

But with both clubs prioritizing other targets (United want Jarrad Branthwaite’s Gleison Bremer, while Real are chasing Leny Yoro), Liverpool have been left with a clear course to sign him.

And according to reports, talks are now underway to secure his signature for Liverpool, with the Merseysiders hoping they can secure his signature for an initial fee of €50m (£42.7m), with the fee which will be boosted with a series of supplements.

Slot also wants to strengthen Liverpool’s midfield and attacking options, with Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu on his radar.

Priced in the €25m bracket, the Turkey midfielder has struggled to establish himself in Portugal and could be on the move again this summer. And with Atalanta determined to hold out for a whopping €60m fee for Teun Koopmeiners, the 26-times capped former Fenebahce player looks the ideal alternative.

The PSV star also wanted in a huge deal

And finally, Slot are also reportedly targeting the signing of PSV Eindhoven’s classy winger Johan Bakayoko.

The Belgian is seen by Liverpool officials as an ideal long-term replacement for Mo Salah and, with 28 goals and assists this season, he certainly has the numbers to back it up.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool have set an investment of almost €50 million to poach the 21-year-old, who will make a big impact at Euro 2024 this summer.

The signings of all four players will take Liverpool back to a total of €150m (£128.2m) and hopefully help the Merseysiders close the gap on both Arsenal and to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League next season.

DO NOT MISS 👉 Mo Salah: The Liverpool superstar’s most outrageous stats that show Slot why he is simply irreplaceable

MAN CITY GOALKEEPER EDERSON IN SHOCK EXIT LINK

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson could leave the Etihad this summer if a sizeable offer comes his way. The player is interested in him from the Saudi Pro League and Pep Guardiola will let the Brazilian decide his fate if a deal is agreed. (Fabrizio Romano)

Manchester United have set suitors an asking price of €40m (£34.2m) for any team looking to sign Casemiro this summer, with Saudi Pro-League sides leading the charge the experienced midfielder from Brazil. (varied)

Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of Real Betis defender Chadi Riad in an €18m switch to Selhurst Park, with his former club Barcelona set to claim €12m of that fee due to clauses. (Sports)

Aston Villa face the disappointment of the Juventus outfit rejecting their €40m (£34.2m) bid for left-back Andrea Cambiaso and instead tying the Italy international left-back to a new contract . (SportItalia)

Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United are “very fond” of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, with Spurs officials watching him in action this weekend. The Italy U21 defender is valued at €30m (£25.6m) by the Serie A side. (Tuttosport)

Barcelona have joined Arsenal and Man Utd in their pursuit of Valencia starlet Javi Guerra amid claims he could be sold for far less than Los Che’s initial €30m demand and despite the midfielder he has a clause of 100 million euros in his contract. (Sports)

Thomas Tuchel held ‘open talks’ to become Manchester United’s next manager, with the ax expected to fall on Erik ten Hag after the FA Cup final, win or lose! (Sky Germany)

ARSENAL GAVE MAJOR BENJAMIN SESKO TRANSFER LIFT

Arsenal have been given a huge boost in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko after the RB Leipzig striker’s agent Elvis Basanovic suggested fellow club members AC Milan are unlikely to be able to pay his €65m exit fee . (Sports Club)

Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen has become Borussia Dortmund’s top target for the summer transfer window after impressing while on loan at the Westfalenstadion. (Sky Germany)

Barcelona are considering a surprise swoop for former Newcastle and Leicester striker Ayoze Perez after impressing in LaLiga with Real Betis this season. The 30-year-old has a €4m release clause in his contract and has scored 11 times in 36 games for Los Verdiblancos in 2023/24. (AS)

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez insists talks over a new deal remain tighter than ever and he fully expects to sign an extension despite claims he could be lured by the likes of Chelsea. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Real Madrid remain keen on Lille defender Leny Yoro but have kept a €40m cap on any deal – and are willing to leave if the Ligue 1 side do not accept that offer. (Matteo Moretto)

Ciro Immobile insists he sees no reason to leave Lazio amid claims he could be targeted by Napoli as a replacement for Victor Osimhen this summer. (Corriere dello Sport)

Aston Villa are eyeing an ambitious club record £85m (€100m) bid over Barcelona for Ronald Araujo – and could sell Diego Carlos to AC Milan to fund the mammoth transfer. (varied)

LEEDS UNITED IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT FIRST SIGN OF SUMMER

Leeds United have lined up their first signing should they be promoted to the Premier League on Sunday, with talks being held over a deal for Borussia Dortmund right-back Marius Wolf. The 28-year-old also has clubs in Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia interested in him after proving he can leave the Westfalenstadion as a free agent. (Sky Germany)

Departing Borussia Dortmund defender Marius Wolf is a target for Leeds United

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has expressed his interest in taking over the Bayern Munich vacancy after emerging as possible candidates to replace Thomas Tuchel at the Allianz Arena. Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo were also targeted by an increasingly desperate Bayern. (Fabrizio Romano/BILD)

Atletico Madrid are at risk of losing Alvaro Morata this summer, with a €15m release clause in his contract set to tempt Juventus to sign the forward for the third time in his career. Clubs in Saudi Arabia and MLS are also tracking the Spain striker. (relief)

Napoli are keen to sign Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin after his impressive season on loan with Alaves this season. (Matteo Moretto)

Barcelona will consider either Hansi Flick or Rafael Marquez as their new manager this summer, with a crucial meeting to decide the outcome of Xavi Hernandez’s future on Tuesday. (Fabrizio Romano)

Atletico Madrid will drop interest in Chelsea-linked Girona striker Artem Dovbyk with his €40m (£34.2m) valuation deemed too high. (Matteo Moretto)

Manchester United are set to make a substantial profit on Mason Greenwood this summer, with four European clubs – Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and now Borussia Dortmund – all vying for his signature. (varied)