Liverpool in talks with elite midfield star to become Arne Slot's first signing: report

By
published

Liverpool manager Arne Slot can add serious experience to his midfield this summer ahead of his first season

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 manager Arne Slot is yet to make a signing. But the club are now in talks with a top midfielder, over an eye-catching move.

Last summer was a big one in the Reds' engine room. Club captain Jordan Henderson was moved on to Saudi Arabia along with Fabinho, as Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo stepped into the breach. 

But Slot may not be done with reshaping the midfield. With the Dutchman demanding different things of his midfielders than Klopp, a world-renowned star could be about to arrive. 

Hungary Euro 2024 squad Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena on June 19, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Dominik Szoboszlai was one of four midfield signings last term (Image credit: Getty Images)

Italian outlet Football Italia claims that Adrien Rabiot is to engage in talks over a move to Anfield. He is also wanted by Manchester United. 

The French superstar featured for Didier Deschamps at Euro 2024. Rabiot was consistently selected ahead of the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, with France's exit against eventual champions Spain seeing him preferred to Antoine Griezmann. 

VIDEO Why England Just Lost The Euro 2024 Final

“It is believed he is looking for €9 million per season wages, which will be difficult to come by in Serie A, but perhaps easier in the Premier League,” the report claims. Rabiot is represented by his mother, Veronique. 

In FourFourTwo's opinion, this is one that doesn't feel particularly pressing for the Reds. Along with the four midfielders signed last summer, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo all featured in central midfield last season, too. 

Manchester United target Adrien Rabiot of France controls the Ball during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Netherlands and France at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 21, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Adrien Rabiot is linked with Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)

The 29-year-old is a market opportunity. It seems more likely that he moves to a club undertaking a bigger rebuild than Liverpool, such as Manchester United or Newcastle, who will use his ‘free agent’ status as a loophole to circumvent financial regulations. 

Rabiot is valued at €35m by Transfermarkt. He is officially without a club after his Juventus contract expired last month.

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool could be about to land Marc Guehi, following a star turn at Euro 2024. Dani Olmo is on the radar, too, for the Reds, while Karim Adeyemi might sign and Teun Koopmeiners is a serious target. 

In other news, Klopp could be returning to Anfield much sooner than expected. 

Mark White
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.