Liverpool continue to be linked with a host of players as the countdown to the new season continues.
Eight members of Jurgen Klopp’s senior squad returned to the AXA Training Centre on Saturday for the start of pre-season training, while the rest are set to join over the coming days after being given more time off due to playing in international matches after the domestic campaign ended.
Alexis Mac Allister arrived at Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion last month for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around the £35 million mark. The World Cup winner was then joined at Anfield by Szoboszlai at the start of this month after he finalised his switch from RB Leipzig less than 48 hours after the Reds triggered a release clause in his contract.
But how likely is it that Liverpool will sign some of the big names that have been mentioned in the rumour mill in the last few weeks? SkyBet has the latest transfer odds, and it makes for interesting reading. It's important, however, to take most of it with a pinch of salt. The players listed below are the names of the players who the Reds are 'most likely' to sign this summer...
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Nicolo Barella 3/1
Barella has emerged as a rumoured option following another impressive campaign at the San Siro.
The Italy international scored nine goals across all competitions in 52 games as he won the Coppa Italia and his side reached the Champions League final. And it appears that Barella had already made an impression on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders.
In his book, Intensity: Inside Liverpool FC, the Dutchman revealed how the midfielder caught the eye of him and his boss as they watched Inter in action against Salernitana ahead of a Champions League tie against the Italian giants.
He wrote: "On the Friday night we watched Inter against Salernitana in the hotel, and [Nicolo] Barella was superb.
"Jurgen asked me why I was laughing; we were in the middle of a discussion, but I was watching the game with one eye and saw him play another incredible pass. 'I’m just so happy that he doesn’t feature against us,' I said. 'Every attack starts with him, it’s scary.'"
Conor Gallagher 10/1
Gallagher emerged as a surprise target under consideration by Liverpool back in April as they looked to revamp their midfield this summer.
The 23-year-old, who was part of the England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, made 45 appearances during the 2022-23 season, scoring three and assisting one. He has just entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
As well as Liverpool, Gallagher has also been linked with moves to Brighton, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. But after the signings of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, Gallagher’s chances of moving to Anfield now appear to be slim.
James Ward-Prowse 12/1
Having been relegated with Southampton, James Ward-Prowse has been mentioned as a potential midfield option due to his qualities from set pieces and reliable work ethic in the middle of the park.
A versatile player, he can operate in wide areas, playing a similar role to Jordan Henderson and potentially allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to cut inside as part of his new role as an 'inverted-wing-back'.
However, if Liverpool are to make a move for a Southampton player this summer, then it is more likely to be Romeo Lavia. The ECHO understands Lavia is on the radar after an impressive individual campaign in his first full season as a Premier League player.
The Belgium international is just 19 but managed to feature 29 times and stand out in a Saints side that ultimately failed to survive. However, we also brought you the news that senior Anfield sources have insisted their interest has not gone beyond the due diligence process at present, but he is most certainly a player whose ceiling and current ability mean he is well-liked within the club.
Sadio Mane 18/1
Bayern Munich are reportedly willing to offload Mane this summer after only one season at the club.
The Senegal international has struggled for game time since his move from Liverpool last summer and was dropped and fined back in April after a dressing-room fight with team-mate Leroy Sane following the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad.
The 31-year-old is under contract at Bayern until 2025, but that hasn’t stopped speculation linking him with a return to the Premier League. However, given the attacking options Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal, it is hard to see a return to Anfield being on the cards this summer.
Kylian Mbappe 25/1
Mbappe, who joined PSG in 2017 initially on loan from Monaco before a £165.7 million transfer a year later, has been linked with a move to Anfield in the past.
And just last week, Edu Aguirre, a journalist from Spain, claimed the Reds had tabled a €200m bid for the forward. The claim by Aguirre came just weeks after Mbappe informed PSG in a letter sent last month that he would not trigger the additional year’s extension to his contract, meaning he could leave for nothing in the summer of 2024.
A statement released by the player’s representatives read: "After maintaining publicly in recent weeks that he would be a PSG player next season, Kylian Mbappe has not asked to leave this summer and has just confirmed to the club that he would not be activating the extra year.
"The management of the club in charge of the extension [was informed] as of July 15, 2022, of the decision [not to continue beyond 2024]. The statement then said: "The letter was only to confirm what had already been clarified orally beforehand."
Speaking at the unveiling of Luis Enrique last Wednesday, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said Mbappe must sign a new contract if he wants to stay at Parc des Princes. However, given Mbappe’s contract standoff and the claims from Spain, the prospect of Liverpool handing over £170m for the forward in a season when they are outside the Champions League feels like a total non-starter.
