Arne Slot is eyeing his first Liverpool signing as FSG, given a lucrative Mohamed Salah transfer ultimatum

Arne Slot will be determined to turn Liverpool around this summer. The Reds have already been heavily linked with a number of big names, but for now it remains to be seen whether or not John Henry will hand the Dutchman a war chest to bolster his squad.

Last year, Liverpool splashed out almost £200m on four midfielders; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis McAllister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. The year before, Jurgen Klopp splashed the cash on Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo – two forwards – so perhaps the Reds can finally retool their backline.

While Jarell Quansah has enjoyed a brilliant campaign, Virgil van Dijk sees his contract at Anfield expire in June 2025 and Joe Gomez has been predominantly at full-back. Wherever Slot chooses to improve this summer, he’ll want to make his mark on the side.

READ MORE: Premier League rules could force sale of player who can solve Liverpool’s Arne Slot problem

READ MORE: Arne Slot faces immediate Liverpool transfer problem Jurgen Klopp has never experienced

So with that being said, Liverpool Echo rounded up the latest Liverpool news and transfer gossip on Sunday 26 May.

Barcelona consider Liverpool an ace

Liverpool have extinguished any last hope of Thiago Alcantara staying at the club. The 33-year-old midfielder will leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of next month.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, as quoted by the Mirror, Barcelona are considering a bid for Thiago, despite pessimism about his ability to perform at the highest level among some club officials. The report adds that the Spaniard, who can also speak German, has been lined up due to the imminent arrival of Hansi Flick as head coach.

Thiago has played just once for Liverpool this season, appearing in a five-minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal in February. He announced his departure on social media last week with a heartwarming message that acknowledged the Kop’s incredible atmosphere.

Slot eye first signing

Arne Slot appears to have identified his first signing as Liverpool manager. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool have joined Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Leny Yoro.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who is out of contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in 2025, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to superstardom this season. Yoro played 32 times in the French top flight, helping Paulo Fonseca’s side qualify for the Europa League.

“For me, players don’t have age, they have quality,” the Lille boss said in an interview with BBC Sport in April. “Because here we don’t have the possibility to buy very expensive players, we find a way to make the young players grow.

“I think that next year Leny (Yoro) will be at one of the best clubs in Europe. He started here at 16 with us. He is very ambitious but very disciplined. He has grown a lot, but he is a kid with a big maturity, high quality.

“He is very focused, very focused, he wants to learn every day and I have no doubt in modern football that he will be one of the best centre-backs in the world.”

Salah transfer condition suggested

Liverpool have been urged to cash in on Mohamed Salah this summer, with his contract at Anfield set to expire next year. The 31-year-old striker, who has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia recently, will be free to leave the Reds in June 2025 once his contract is up.

“What’s he got? He’s got 12 months left on his contract? So, from a business point of view, now is the time to let him go,” Paul Robinson said on the Football Insider podcast. “You’re never going to get the £100m for him mid-season in January.

“If you’re looking at £100m for him now and if you think you can recruit and build a squad with the players you’ve got and use that money to get a replacement, then now is the time.

The former Premier League goalkeeper added: “If they want to get the money for him, leave now, it’s as simple as that. But for him personally, I guess it’s not a money decision, but if he waits another 12 months, that’s pounds. 100 m then goes into his salary.”