Liverpool are eyeing a triple summer transfer swoop that could set them back a whopping £314m
Being a Liverpool fan in the transfer window is a transcending experience indeed. On one hand, you see the club haggle over a couple of million pounds and then the next moment go all out to break the British transfer record. Either way, one cannot argue that the Reds don’t do their business swiftly and efficiently when needed.
The current summer transfer window is a key one given that it is new head coach Arne Slot’s first one at Kirkby. While the current roster does not demand wholesale changes, there are areas that require addressing both in terms of quality and depth. It is perhaps no surprise that the Reds continue to be linked with almost every player under the sun.
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Liverpool are ready to splash the cash to secure the trio of Joao Neves, Orkun Kokcu, and Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica this summer. This triple deal is expected to set us back a whopping £314 million in transfer fee.
Joao Neves has a £101 million release clause in his contract, and Benfica are unlikely to let him leave for cheap. The 19-year-old is a prodigious talent with a bright future, and he could develop into a world-class player. With Manchester United also very much in the hunt, a bidding war could very well be on the horizon.
Neves will add control and defensive cover to the Liverpool midfield and he would be the ideal replacement for Thiago Alcantara. The Portuguese midfielder will not just future-proof the role but can develop a solid long-term partnership alongside Stefan Bajcetic in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Kokcu played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord Rotterdam and the Dutch manager will be well aware of the Turkish star’s strengths. However, he has a £128 million release clause, and it is debatable whether Liverpool will meet the asking price, especially given that they went big to revamp the midfield just one summer ago. Kokcu is also a player Liverpool were linked with in the past, but it appears to have dried up since.
As far as Schjelderup is concerned, the Norwegian has a comparatively modest £85 million release clause. The Reds already have Luis Diaz on the left flank and have been heavily linked with a move for Anthony Gordon this summer. With Cody Gakpo also showing at the Euros that he should be deployed on the left wing, it remains unlikely will go bid to strengthen that particular position.
The Reds have other priorities such as bringing in a new number six and also seeking long-term replacements for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Given how prudent the club’s recruitment has been over the years, it remains unlikely that they will go all out to land any of the three players on Benfica’s terms.
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While we would welcome Liverpool going big for the three Benfica stars, the news can be taken with a pinch of salt. There is still much time to go before the 2024 summer window shuts and Liverpool do not have the habit of rushing into things. It is best to retain faith in Michael Edwards and Co. and place trust in their judgement.
