Liverpool have gained momentum in their long-term pursuit of PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko.
The Reds have been connected with the winger since Jurgen Klopp was still on the bench at Anfield. His replacement, Arne Slot, has yet to sign on for the first time as Liverpool manager, as goals on the move such as Martin Zubimendi have either snubbed a technical or noted a resolution fails.
It seems that the direction towards Bakayoko has been clarified, as one of his former admirers, RB Leipzig, has appeased his interest. The Bundesliga giants reportedly met the Belgian foreigner as a replacement for Dani Olmo, who recently signed for Barcelona.
However, Marco Rose’s side have agreed to terms with Club Brugge star Antonio Nusa, who arrived from the Belgian giants on a £19m contract. With Nusa’s arrival likely to end the Bundesliga’s interest in Bakayoko, Liverpool may have a clear path to pursue him.
It is understood that Slot knows Bakayoko as a player who could upgrade to Mohamed Salah in the long term. The Egyptian has been Liverpool’s talisman since 2017, but he has less than a year left on his contract at Anfield.
He has also been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League since last season. Liverpool have Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott lately, but all four have yet to register the kind of numbers Salah has.
Bakayoko is reportedly valued at around £40m via PSV. While she chased Brentford and Burnley last year, Bakayoko’s name has risen after an impressive campaign.
He scored 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 games in all competitions last season. While Leipzig would probably have dropped out of the race for his signing yet, Borussia Dortmund are also said to admire him.
Liverpool are also in need of a new striker more, having also allowed Fabio Carvalho to join Brentford for £27. 5m. Slot has yet to add new faces since replacing Jurgen Klopp.
But despite any potential anxiety ahead of their Premier League opener at Ipswich Town this weekend, Slot has attempted to play down his concerns over the move.
In a recent press conference, he said: “I think as a club like ours we are hunting to see if we can strengthen the team. But it is not that easy to strengthen the team if we look at the two games today.
“I have already said several times that I have inherited a very strong team and that if we can and if we believe it is possible, we will be the team. But only if we believe we can and if we can. “
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