Liverpool have a lot of concerns heading into the summer transfer window. Besides Sadio Mane choosing to leave, who else could follow him with recent news pointing towards more exits. Will the Reds be busy this summer with multiple incomings and outgoings?
Following a magical 2021/22 run for Liverpool Football Club and Jurgen Klopp where they fought until the very end for all top honours, one would presume the primary objective was to keep their best players at the club. Surprisingly, there have been a lot more rumours than expected this early on in the summer about them losing potentially more than just Mane.
The top story has been the African Cup of Nations winner and his desire to leave Anfield for a better salary, which German champions Bayern Munich are offering, hence his eagerness to join them this summer.
Liverpool transfer rumours and talks:
- James Milner is still a doubt for the Reds next season; the Reds do want him to sign a year extension but he wants more game time
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also in the final year of his current deal; the Reds have put him up for sale, and five clubs could be in a battle for the Englishman, according to the Mirror
- Naby Keita, like others, needs a new deal at the club and Jurgen Klopp wants him to stay put, more to follow on this
- Is the only light at the end of the tunnel, Jude Bellingham and Darwin Nunez?
Back to Sadio Mane and His Liverpool Exit…
As of now: It is believed Liverpool will listen to offers in the region of £42.5m and upwards for the forward. Bayern was always in the lead and ahead of Barcelona and PSG, who were also interested in him, but it is the Bavarians that have agreed to a three-year deal with the player and all that is left is for them and the Reds is to agree on a transfer fee.
Sadio Mane has agreed a three year contract with Bayern Munich. PSG and Barcelona were also interested. He has spoken directly to Julian Nagelsmann. Now up to clubs to agree a fee. Liverpool and Bayern Munich began official talks yesterday.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) June 1, 2022
So with a Mane departure more a matter of when and not if, who else at Anfield is on the radar of other clubs across Europe?
Naby Keita has been one of the most surprising of the exit rumours; he has been linked with a £50m move to join PSG this summer.
“Naby Lad”, as he is referred to by his teammates is approaching the final year of his contract with the Merseyside club and talks have circled about a potential new deal but nothing concrete has surfaced of a new one being tabled already.
But now the Guinean is been linked with a summer switch to France where he is wanted by PSG’s future sporting director, Luis Campos, who sees him as the perfect replacement for former Liverpool player, Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Reds manager wants the club to tie him [Naby Keita] down to a new deal as he is still quite fond of the midfielder and is important to his plans and wants to fend off interests from others.
Jude Bellingham links to Liverpool are about the most exciting news there has been for Liverpool fans in recent weeks. Sadly, a move for the English young star might only be able to transpire next summer.
Can one expect any new faces at the AXA Training Centre this preseason? With all the exit talks, the answer has to presumably be, yes! If Liverpool are losing key players such as Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and possibly more, they will have to replace one or two with fresh faces.
Many were hoping this summer sees them bringing in a marquee signing but that will have to wait on Sadio Mane’s exit, having brought their marquee man in last January in the shape of Luis Diaz.
The only player the Reds have shown a huge interest in is Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund; they and most of the top clubs in Europe which include: Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
Dortmund, having lost Erling Haaland already to title rivals, Man City, will not be accommodating to a Bellingham exit as well. The Reds are willing to give him another season in Germany, as he is playing at the highest level in the Champions League.
Liverpool has reportedly entered the race for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.
This one would not have to wait until next summer; if any team wants to sign the 2021/22 breakout forward, they will have to sign him this window.
Along with the reports that Liverpool are heavily interested in him, so are many other clubs across the globe wanting his services as well. The Reds’ rivals Manchester United have been linked with him more often than most Premier League sides.
If the Liverpool committee wants to beat their oldest foes to his signature they will have to act sooner rather than later. If they plan on replacing Sadio Mane, this would be a good place to start. It may sound easy, but replacing the goal machine Sadio might be a difficult process for them to overcome without any hiccups.