Trent Alexander-Arnold might be jetting off to the Spanish capital this summer, but there’s plenty to be happy about for those of a Liverpool persuasion right now.
With the Reds winning their 20th top-flight title under Arne Slot’s management this year, Alexander-Arnold has very much played a pivotal part in putting his boyhood club back on its perch – not just this year, but across the illustrious sweep of his career.
But the vice-captain is going to leave for Real Madrid on a Bosman, and his departure will have a say on the roads taken across the transfer market months.
While sorting out Liverpool’s defensive flanks is sure to be a priority for FSG, there’s no question that changes are going to be enforced from an attacking standpoint.
Liverpool eyeing attacking changes
Liverpool are gearing up for a busy summer, and no mistake. FSG’s approach toward transfer business has stoked frustrations over the years, but can we really begrudge them, given the club’s success over the past decade?
This new version, it must be said, feels different. The framework has been reshaped and Slot is expecting sweeping changes after minimal investment last summer.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota may both reportedly depart, opening ample room for a high-level centre-forward. However, with Luis Diaz anticipating new talks to renew his contract, Liverpool’s need for a left winger has been lessened considerably.
That hasn’t stopped the Merseysiders from registering their interest in Morgan Rogers, though, a versatile attacker who shifts seamlessly between the wide lane and a more central berth, and has struck 27 goal contributions from 51 outings this season.
However, Liverpool have yet to double down on a target, and might have found one who would be a better fit than the Aston Villa sensation.
Liverpool could see bid accepted for Premier League star
Sources have confirmed to Caught Offside that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is on Liverpool’s radar this summer, with the Bees seeking bids of £60m-£65m in order to let him head to Anfield or any other interested party.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes will need to accelerate his plans if Liverpool are to prevail, with Manchester United set to make their opening offer in the coming weeks.
While the urgency for a right-sided forward has been eased after Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal, Federico Chiesa has scarcely featured under Slot and is mooted for a return to Italy, with AC Milan reportedly interested.
Mbeumo could be the perfect addition, adding the athleticism and dynamism needed ahead of a title-defending campaign.
What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Liverpool
Salah’s peerless output in the Premier League this season is something Slot will be hoping to replicate next year. Signing a ball-carrying star such as Rogers could be a way to make that happen, but Liverpool already have a tried and tested midfield three and Diaz is rumoured to be staying put.
1
Mohamed Salah
28
18
46
2
Alexander Isak
23
6
29
3
Bryan Mbeumo
18
7
25
4
Erling Haaland
21
3
24
4=
Cole Palmer
15
9
24
However, he’ll be 33 by the time the 2025/26 campaign arrives, and Mbeumo could be the perfect forward to ease the Egypt international’s workload.
Of course, Mbeumo’s capacity to perform at number nine is something Thomas Frank has made good use of throughout the season and Slot will be sure to take a leaf from the Dane’s book, with his usage of Diaz’s dynamic qualities this year already underlining how he can guide the Brentford man toward new heights.
The 25-year-old has scored 68 goals and provided 50 assists across 239 matches in England, but it would be hard to argue against the current campaign being his finest for the Bees.
After missing only eight big chances in the Premier League this season (scoring 18 times), he’s proven his clinical edge to be the hallmark of a broad-ranging skill set. Of course, that’s not all, with 16 big chances created and 1.3 tackles and dribbles averaged per game, over four duels won each fixture too.
While Villa’s Rogers would be an attractive option given his prolificness in Unai Emery’s system, Mbeumo is the more dangerous goalscorer while proving himself a multi-dimensional player too, creating heartily.
Highly-regarded, Rogers has pulled all the stops this term and would no doubt prove a worthy addition to Liverpool’s high-flying team.
That said, recent rumours have suggested that Rogers will cost suitors around £70m, which is no small sum. Villa’s reluctance to sell could see that stretch even higher.
Meanwhile, Brentford seem open to selling their talisman which could play into Liverpool’s plans, with Mbeumo’s specific quality suggesting that he could one day succeed Salah while serving as his understudy for now and filling in at centre-forward too.
He’s been more prolific than Rogers in the Premier League this season while outstripping him across most underlying metrics. Rogers has won more duels per game, but only by a 0.2 average.
Hailed for his “sensational” efforts in west London by Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, Liverpool will kick themselves if they fail to beat off competition from their Red Devil rivals and secure Mbeumo’s signature.
Liverpool are going to want an out-and-out striker to join their ranks ahead of Slot’s second season, but if Nunez and Jota both depart, Mbeumo’s addition would make a significant difference to an outfit looking to challenge across four fronts.
Both the Cameroon international and Rogers have the qualities to leave marked effects on Slot’s Liverpool project, but Mbuemo’s goalscoring ability and completeness have the decisive say on the matter: FSG need to bring him in.
Slot's own Suarez: Liverpool plot big move for "one of the best CFs" around
Liverpool could be about to make a move for a player who could become Arne Slot’s own Luis Suarez.
ByEthan Lamb