Liverpool boss Arne Slot has warned Reds fans not to expect too much excitement in the summer transfer window.
The Reds are edging closer to securing the Premier League title for this season but Slot’s thoughts are already shifting towards the 2025/26 campaign.
Securing the futures of Mohamed Salah and club captain Virgil van Dijk have been the first two orders of business for Slot with the veteran duo now tied to Anfield until 2027.
Speculation continues to grow over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s intentions with the England international still weighing up an offer from Real Madrid.
An update on the 26-year-old will be waited for, as Slot looks at his targets, but the Dutch coach is not planning to tear up his squad after a strong first season on Merseyside.
Defensive cover is a key target, whether Alexander-Arnold stays or not, but changes in attack could be brought about if Darwin Nunez moves on.
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Slot is aiming to offload the Uruguayan in the coming weeks, after an inconsistent year, with doubts over the futures of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, if substantial offers arrive for them.
Sales will boost Slot’s budget significantly and one target has already been lined up if the money is available as the former Feyenoord chief eyes up fellow Dutchman Xavi Simons at RB Leipzig.
Xavi Simons’ RB Leipzig contract, transfer fee, position, stats
Simons has been habitually linked with a move back to Barcelona after coming through their famed La Masia academy system from 2010 to 2019.
However, the ongoing financial issues in Catalonia make that switch difficult, and links to Manchester United will be based on Ruben Amorim securing a UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.
RB Leipzig face a key call on Simons over the summer as per BILD, with his current contract in Germany running until 2027, but with a current transfer value of around £60m [$80m].
The 22-year-old racked up eight goals and 11 Bundesliga assists last season, with his stock at its highest, but those figures have dipped slightly in 2024/25 – with his current tally at nine and five respectively.
Liverpool will look to drive that valuation down, based on his contract situation in Leipzig, but his positional flexibility is a major pull factor for Slot.
Simons has played across the Leipzig frontline this season, comfortable as a No.10 or on the left-side of attack, both positions Liverpool could benefit from an extra body.
Benjamin Sesko’s future could also impact Simons, with Arsenal chasing the Slovenia international, and RB Leipzig may be unwilling to sell two attackers in the same window.
Simons’ deeper numbers given an insight into Slot’s interest as he currently sits fourth in the assist list across Europe’s top five domestic leagues.
He is also in the Bundesliga top five for through balls [19] and passes into the penalty area [52].
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