Liverpool to gift Arne Slot with HUGE statement signing, to replace outgoing star: report

Incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot of Feyenoord Rotterdam looks on prior to the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord and Go Ahead Eagles at Feyenoord Stadium on May 14, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
(Image credit: NESimages/Geert van Erven/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Liverpool are lining up a marquee buy to welcome Arne Slot to Anfield with a bang.

The Dutch manager is heavily linked with the job on Merseyside, after confirming that the Reds were in talks with his club, Feyenoord. With Jurgen Klopp set to leave at the end of the current campaign, there could be an overhaul with the squad, too.

Former director Michael Edwards is back working with Liverpool owners, FSG, and reports have claimed that one A-list star is being lined up for a move. 

Jurgen Klopp Signs A Contract Extension and chats with Sporting Director Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon FSG President and Liverpool F.C owner at Melwood Training Ground on December 13, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Michael Edwards (left) is back working with Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fichajes in Spain says that Nicolo Barella is being touted for a move for Merseyside to replace Thiago Alcantara. The Inter Milan schemer would be an expensive signing but one that Slot may choose to build around. 

With the 45-year-old operating with a 4-2-3-1, it's possible that Barella could be used as one of the deeper midfielders in the double-pivot at Anfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister, or higher up as a No.10

Similarly, Slot used Turkish midfielder Orkun Kokcu in a similar manner, giving the now-Benfica star the captaincy and building the midfield around his talents. 

Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale applauds the fans atvduring the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale and FC Salzburg at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

Nicolo Barella is wanted by Liverpool (Image credit: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's opinion, the story may have legs, given that Liverpool have historic links to the Italian. With Barella settled at Serie A winners Inter, however, it may take a lot of money – and convincing – to persuade him to swap Champions League football for a new project. 

The 27-year-old is valued at €75 million by Transfermarkt

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool have reportedly decided on Mohamed Salah's future, following his row with Jurgen Klopp. There are several options on offer to the Reds, however, with key transfer decisions being made ahead of Jurgen Klopp's departureSalah has been backed to leave, following his clash with Klopp on the touchline

Arne Slot has been tipped to raid Feyenoord for one star ahead of moving to Anfield, while Darwin Nunez has been warned over his future.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.