Club-record defender signs, £145m midfield splurge – Liverpool’s dream window

Liverpool could be among the Premier League’s most-busiest clubs this summer when the transfer window opens with the Reds set to miss out on Champions League qualification. Jurgen Klopp’s side are under no illusions that work must be done if they’re to close the gap on the rest of their top-four rivals next season with Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester United and Chelsea all expected to spend excessively.

Nonetheless, Liverpool are already gearing up for a big summer and they intend to start the window with a bang.

Work is well underway on replacing four of Liverpool’s departing players in Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Yet Klopp is fully aware that he must also improve other areas of his squad if he wants to challenge for major trophies once again next season.

Express Sport analyses what Liverpool’s ideal summer transfer window could look like.

Club-record defender deal sealed

Liverpool boss Klopp has already confirmed he intends to sign another central defender this summer and that could point towards further exits.

The futures of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are up for debate with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate considered to be Klopp’s first-choice central defensive pairing.

But Liverpool could yet try and raid RB Leipzig once again by launching a swoop for Josko Gvardiol.

He would be the kind of signing that could really improve the Reds’ strength in reserve and bolster their quality at the back.

Gvardiol won’t come cheap however with Manchester City and Chelsea also expected to enter the running and that means Liverpool may have to shatter the £85m club-record fee they shelled out to Benfica for Darwin Nunez last summer.

£145m midfield spree

Liverpool are targeting a major overhaul in midfield and the process is likely to take up a significant chunk of their transfer budget.

One deal is already in the works in the form of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

Personal terms are now close to being agreed meaning the Reds will then just have to strike an agreement with the Seagulls on a fee.

Mac Allister is expected to cost around £60m but beyond that Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch are also of interest.

Mount could cost upwards of £60m as Chelsea are unlikely to be keen on selling to a direct rival.

Furthermore, Liverpool also have the work cut out trying to entice Bayern into the sale of Gravenberch.

Should it be the case, the Dutchman is currently valued at close to £25m and he could prove to be another smart acquisition.

There are other alternative names on Liverpool’s radar if any of the above targets fail to bare fruit.

Right-back signing

A new right-back could be on the agenda for the Reds with Trent Alexander-Arnold currently thriving in a central role.

Klopp will be keen to keep Trent at right-back despite moving him central in possession.

But the Reds do need some extra depth in the position particularly after Milner’s exit.

Calvin Ramsay hasn’t been able to maintain fitness this season and Liverpool are in need of some extra cover at right-back in case Alexander-Arnold picks up an injury.

If they have the money, Joao Cancelo would be the perfect signing but he will not come cheap and Manchester City are unlikely to sell to Liverpool.

The signing of a right-back could prove to be the icing on the cake for the Reds this summer.