Liverpool may benefit greatly from the signing of Johan Bakayoko, but a “alternative” Mohamed Salah is improbable.
With Arne Slot’s appointment as Liverpool’s head coach confirmed on Monday, a new era has officially begun. The 45-year-old will start working at Anfield on June 1 after agreeing to a three-year contract. Instead of managing, though, Slot has taken on the role of head coach as Anfield’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, continue to reorganize the team in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
Richard Hughes, who was previously with AFC Bournemouth, will formally join the team on June 1st as part of that reorganization. In the meanwhile, Michael Edwards, who was named FSG’s first-ever CEO of Football, will assist in managing affairs at Anfield. But a new era at Anfield isn’t just about the new and old staff members; Liverpool has already been linked to several new player acquisitions this summer. The ECHO examines a few of the most recent rumors here. Reds are thinking in signing Johan Bakayoko. Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven is apparently a target for Liverpool, and he may be Arne Slot’s first acquisition at Anfield. The 21-year-old forward for PSV Eindhoven played in 33 Eredivisie games this season, tallying 12 goals and nine assists. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool has been pursuing Bakayoko since March 2023, and PSV may let him to leave for as much as £40 million.What the ECHO says: At 27, Raphinha raises doubts about his suitability as a long-term replacement for Salah, who is not anticipated to leave the team this summer, despite his reputation as a vital player for both Barcelona and Brazil. In the event that the Egyptian leaves in June 2025, when his contract expires, Raphinha will have just turned 29.