Liverpool ‘close to deal’ for first signing Arne Slot after £38million bid made for Serie A star

Premier League giants Liverpool are “close to an agreement in principle” as they look to complete their first signing of the summer, according to reports.

During last summer’s transfer window, Liverpool they focused on rebuilding the midfield. They have invested around £200m to sign Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.

Another midfielder coming?

This was necessary as Liverpool lost Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the same transfer window.

Each of Liverpool’s midfield signings have contributed to varying degrees during Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season, but are still linked with potential targets in that area of ​​the pitch ahead of him. Arne SlottFirst year at Anfield as head coach.

Last week, It has emerged that Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder Ederson has become a potential target for Liverpool. after apparently ending their interest in Juventus-linked Teun Koopmeiners.

The 24-year-old lined up against Liverpool this season as Atalanta knocked the Premier League giants out of the Europa League. He has scored six goals and assisted one in his 36 Serie A outings.

Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola First, it claimed Liverpool had submitted a €45m (£38m) bid to Atalanta to sign the centre-half.

Another report from Brazil claims that “Ederson is close to agreeing an agreement in principle with Liverpool” after being “followed almost all season” by the Premier League side.

It is also noted that Ligue One giants Paris Saint-Germain have “followed” him, but their interest is “not concrete” at this stage.

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Liverpool pundit James Pearce believes they “need to strengthen” in the defensive midfield department, but “it will come down to availability and affordability”.

“It’s going to come down to availability and affordability,” Pearce said in a Q&A with The Athletic.

“The market for the number 6 is probably the most inflated in football. I’d love to see them sign an elite midfielder as I’m not sure you’d just have Endo and youngster Ștefan Bajcetic who is talented but playing catch-up after missing so much football from cause of an injury, it gives you enough in that. department.

“Last season proved that Mac Allister operates much better higher up the pitch where he can really influence games in the final third.

“Of course, we don’t yet know where Slot intends to play Alexander-Arnold. Will he stay at right-back and then drift into central areas when Liverpool are in possession or will he simply become a midfielder? However, I would say that Liverpool need to strengthen in this area.”

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