Liverpool transfer news as first Arne Slot signing ‘closes’ and Juventus set $32m price tag

Liverpool transfer news is coming thick and fast now that the window is officially open. Arne Slot’s first signing will walk through the door any day now – and that day could be fast approaching.

Of course, the first signing of an era doesn’t tell us much. Jurgen Klopp signed Marko Grujic and Steven Caulker in his first transfer window, neither of whom played a major role in his glittering spell at Anfield.

Moreover, Slot is not expected to have primary control of the transfer, having joined as “head coach” rather than manager. The first signing of the summer may tell us more about the returning Michael Edwards or new sporting director Richard Hughes.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Marc Guehi price set, teenager deal ‘closed’, Leny Yoro bid
READ MORE: Joel Matip and wife make brilliant gesture at England match to honor Liverpool team-mate

Even so, every deal this summer will be watched even more closely than usual as the Reds look to stay at the top of a post-Klopp world. Here’s Liverpool.com’s verdict on the transfer gossip swirling around the Reds today.

Alvin Ayman (Wolves)

Liverpool are close to signing Alvin Ayman from Wolves. That’s according to The Secret Scout.

Ayman is a 16-year-old centre-back and only joined from Bradford City last summer. But he quickly rose through the ranks at Wolves, where he was included in the squad to face Manchester City towards the end of the season.

The Reds are closing in on a deal. It is assumed that Ayman will initially come through the Academy ranks, as will Ben Doak, but with an accelerated path to potential first-team minutes.

The compensation could rise to $1.9m (£1.5m/€1.8m) if Liverpool can get a deal over the line.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool have developed a knack for signing high-potential players from this type of age group. Clearly, the club has identified that there is major value to be found, a gamble that we won’t know the full results of for a few years.

But when you look at someone like Doak, who is clearly worth a lot more than what Liverpool paid to get him from Celtic, you have to think the Reds are onto a winner. Whether they’ve discovered any future superstars remains to be seen, with Ayman potentially the next contender, but it looks like there’s a very reliable path to making a healthy profit.

It is important for Slot to keep open the first team path that Klopp has promoted so well. This is certainly a huge selling point for some of the top young talent in the country.

Dean Huijsen (Juventus)

Another name that has emerged somewhat out of left field, Dean Huijsen is said to be a target for Liverpool. At 19, the centre-back is a bit older and would likely slot straight into the first team set-up.

He failed to make that point at Juventus, who sent Huijsen on loan to Roma in January. But he impressed there too Mirko Di Natale report that Liverpool are now interested, along with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

Juventus, for their part, are willing to let Huijsen go. However, he set a minimum asking price of $32m (£25m/€30m).

Liverpool.com says: So it looks like Slot (or Edwards, or Hughes) is after a young center back. That adds up with Virgil van Dijk turning 33 and Joel Matip gone.

Huijsen would be a more immediate option than someone like Ayman, but you’d still think he needs a bit more time to develop before he’s ready for Liverpool, given Juventus didn’t consider him good enough to play . However, it wouldn’t be the first time a big club has neglected to spot a big talent right under their noses.