Contracts have been the speaking level round Liverpool soccer membership in current months, with three of Arne Slot’s key gamers out of contract on the finish of the season.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah have all been common starters this marketing campaign, however all three of the celebrities’ present offers are set to run out in June.
Nevertheless, there was progress with the Dutchman and Egyptian, with the pair each set to signal new offers till the summer season of 2027 – undoubtedly an enormous enhance to their ambitions for Premier League glory subsequent season.
As for Trent, he seems to be set to depart and be a part of Actual Madrid on a free switch on the finish of the season, ending his 20-year affiliation along with his boyhood membership, to the frustration of the fanbase.
Such a departure might depart an enormous gap within the first-team backline, but it surely seems the hierarchy have wasted no time in touchdown a participant who might doubtlessly fill any void subsequent marketing campaign.
Liverpool set to make £85m bid for defensive star
In accordance with one Spanish outlet, Liverpool are set to make a €100m (£85m) summer season bid for Barcelona star Ronald Araujo in an try to strengthen the defensive division.
The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances throughout all competitions, notching 4 mixed targets and assists, with the ability to characteristic in a centre-back or right-back position.
The Uruguayan worldwide has had an injury-hit marketing campaign, however has nonetheless managed to impress, as seen by the Reds’ willingness to fork out big-money for his signature.
The report claims that the chance to play in England’s high flight could possibly be too good to show down, however that it is going to be as much as the LaLiga outfit whether or not they need to half methods with Araujo.
It could be an enormous funding from the hierarchy, however it will be a worthwhile one for Slot’s facet – particularly if his figures from the present marketing campaign are something to go by.
Why Araujo is the proper Van Dijk & Trent hybrid for Liverpool
The Reds’ backline is in want of funding with Trent’s pending departure and Andy Robertson’s decline in current months, making this summer season important for Slot.
Van Dijk has typically been the shining mild inside the again 4 over the previous couple of years, along with his performances serving to the facet win 5 main honours since his transfer in January 2018.
Nevertheless, he’s typically lacked that companion on the coronary heart of the defence, with Ibrahima Konate vulnerable to a mistake, as seen throughout final weekend’s defeat in opposition to Fulham.
Araujo might present that fellow world-class possibility the membership have been trying to find, with present boss Hansi Flick labelling the Uruguayan worldwide as “probably the greatest on the earth”.
His potential to characteristic at right-back too might make him an choice to cowl ought to Trent depart, producing figures higher than the aforementioned pair in quite a few key areas.
Defensively, Araujo has outperformed the present Reds stars, profitable extra tackles per 90, while additionally popping out on high in additional aerials – providing that added solidity they’ve been attempting to find as of late.
How Araujo compares to Alexander-Arnold & Van Dijk in 2024/25 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Araujo | Trent | Van Dijk |
Video games performed | 16 | 28 | 31 |
Targets & assists | 4 | 8 | 2 |
Go accuracy | 93% | 74% | 92% |
Tackles received | 1.3 | 1 | 0.5 |
Aerials received | 3.9 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
Shot-on-target accuracy | 67% | 18% | 32% |
Passes accomplished per sport | 90 | 63 | 74 |
Stats by way of FBref |
In possession, he’s been simply as spectacular, finishing extra of the passes he’s tried, while additionally reaching a better shot-on-target accuracy price – highlighting the standard he possesses at each ends of the pitch.
While it might be one other big payment to spend on a brand new signing, it’s one that might present added high quality into the backline, additional strengthening Slot’s probabilities of profitable trophies on Merseyside.
It’s unclear whether or not Barça can be open to promoting one among their key gamers, but it surely’s evident that from the stats he’s produced in 2024/25, he can be an excellent addition – partnering Van Dijk and softening the blow of Trent’s pending departure.
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