Here are all your key transfer news headlines for Thursday 31 October.
Slot favourite could head to Anfield
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Liverpool are reportedly scouting one of the best versatile midfielders in Europe this season. He’s an Arne Slot favourite to boot.
Record reports that Liverpool have been watching Orkun Kokcu of Benfica. The Reds sent scouts to watch him over the weekend as Benfica beat Rio Ave 5-0.
It’s an easy one for Liverpool to get behind, after all. Kokcu was captain of Feyenoord when they won the Eredivisie title under Arne Slot – he joined Benfica the following summer.
And as Slot looks to build on his impressive start at Anfield, he may well see a lot of value in linking up with his former star. Liverpool are apparently weighing it all up right now.
Gyokeres could fix Liverpool problem
Liverpool reportedly want to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. He would fix their biggest problem right now.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany claims Liverpool are one of a few clubs looking to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede is expected to depart Portugal at the end of the season, and the Reds join Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City with interest in him.
Gyokeres would cost around £50m, which could rise due to the competition. Still, it’s potentially a bargain price for one of Europe’s most exciting strikers.
Per Opta data on FBref, Gyokeres is one of the most dominant players outside the ‘big 5’ European leagues. He’s in the top three per cent of strikers for xG and the top two per cent for expected assists.
Carragher’s son signs new deal
Jamie Carragher’s son has penned a new contract at Wigan Athletic after overcoming major struggles during the beginning of his career.
James Carragher spent his youth career coming through the ranks at Liverpool before moving to Wigan at U14 level.
Now 21 years old, the young Carra is currently enjoying his breakthrough season at the club, even winning the club’s Player of the Month award back in September, beating Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers to the prize.
Now he has agreed a new deal with Wigan as a reward for his fine form with Carragher putting pen to a major new deal until 2027.
“I’m buzzing. Playing for this Club is always a proud moment, and I’m happy to have signed a contract extension. I came in this pre-season with the aim of getting an achievement like this,” Carragher told Wigan’s official website.
Liverpool could be forced to make Jota decision
Liverpool’s problems with Diogo Jota are increasingly difficult to contend with and it will soon come to a head.
Liverpool face Brighton later today and who starts up top? It certainly feels as though Darwin Nunez is in line for the role – much as he did in the last EFL Cup round against West Ham United.
Only, Nunez had an intense game against Arsenal at the weekend. And he had one against RB Leipzig a few days before that.
He’s also expected to start against Brighton at the weekend in the Premier League clash. And we imagine he’ll be the striker against Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa ahead of the international break.
It’s a lot of football for any player, let alone in a role as intensive as the centre forward in Arne Slot’s high press. And that’s why Liverpool will be forced into a decision on Diogo Jota before long.
Klopp desperate to block £67m transfer
Jurgen Klopp is set to be competing with Liverpool in his new role at Red Bull.
The German is no longer sitting behind the dugout but instead taking his place in the boardroom as he is set to take over as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer from January onwards.
It’s an interesting new role for the German and one where he will be advising one of the biggest football networks in the world with Red Bull having clubs in North America, Asia and South America as well as their two most popular sides in Europe, in RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
Klopp’s new role will also see him coming up against his former side and competing with the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
The first clash between the trio could come this summer over the transfer of an exciting prospect.
Reds targets score sensational goals
Liverpool saw two of their most exciting transfer targets score spectacular goals on the same night. Will either end up at Anfield, though?
At any given point, Liverpool are linked to some of the world’s best players. That doesn’t mean they’re going to sign them, of course, but the door is open.
And the more these players perform, the more Liverpool are going to have interest.
So Wednesday was a notable one as two of the most exciting players linked with the Reds scored truly spectacular goals.