Liverpool transfer news amid Anthony Gordon ‘faith’ and Arne Slot ‘at the post’ for $65m man

Liverpool fans never heard of Michael Edwards or Julian Ward when they held the title of sporting director at Anfield, but Richard Hughes was introduced at a press conference yesterday, which introduced Arne Slot to the media.

The pair spoke to reporters about all sorts of things, offering little in the way of transfer activity. “When there are major competitions in the summer – a European Championship, the Copa America and also the Olympics – there is a lot of football being played, of course the focus will be there,” Hughes said.

He suggested more moves could be expected in August. By that time, the big players will have returned to their clubs and the managers will have had a chance to control their existing squads.

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Here’s Liverpool.com’s verdict on the transfer gossip swirling around the Reds today. We start with the latest on Newcastle United striker Anthony Gordon, who continues to be linked with a move to Anfield.

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

New Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell will offer winger Anthony Gordon a new contract to extend his stay at St James’ Park, the Newcastle Chronicle reports. But he adds that the Magpies fear Liverpool could come back with an outright cash bid for the 23-year-old after a laughable deal was proposed which would have seen Jarell Quansah move elsewhere.

Liverpool were never going to lose the young defender, but Gordon is a huge talent. He reached double figures for goals and assists in the Premier League last season and already produces more in the final third than Luis Diaz despite being four years younger.

Liverpool.com says: If Liverpool can get a deal done for Gordon then that is exactly the type of deal Hughes should be targeting. Gordon, who is a Reds fan, has just two years left on his current contract and would be wise to avoid signing a new one if he wants to play for his boyhood club.

Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta)

Despite the player having already agreed terms with Juventus, Gazzetta dello Sport (as translated by Sport Witness) claimed that Liverpool are favorite to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners this summer. The transfer has been put on hold, with Atalanta hoping they can sell the 26-year-old abroad and not to a Serie A rival.

Koopmeiners has already told his current wife that he wants to leave. But Atalanta won’t let him go cheap: they want a fee around $70m (£55m/€65m) for the Europa League winner.

Liverpool.com says: Koopmeiners is a good player but it’s hard to see Liverpool willing to pay that much for him. If anything, this feels like a move to get Juventus to hurry up and pay the asking price.