Arne Slot trying to convince Liverpool to sign £80 million-rated player: Reports
Arne Slot's Liverpool are interested in signing Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu in the 2025 summer transfer window, as per Portuguese outlet Record (via SPORTbible). Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League table with 18 points from seven matches.
Despite the impressive start to the ongoing campaign, Arne Slot is looking to bolster the squad and has Orkun Kokcu, with whom he worked at Feyenoord, on his transfer radar.
Slot took charge of the Reds earlier this summer after Jurgen Klopp decided to step down as the Liverpool manager. As per the aforementioned report, Slot is interested in bringing the former Feyenoord captain, Orkun Kokcu, to Anfield.
Kokcu joined Benfica from Feyenoord in July 2023 for a reported transfer fee of £30 million. Since joining the club, he has made 52 appearances for the senior team, bagging 11 goals and 14 assists across competitions. The Turkish midfielder's contract with Benfica will expire in 2028 and he has a release clause of £150 million.
However, as per the report, the Portuguese giants could let Kokcu leave for a £80 million fee. Earlier this summer, Liverpool were in talks with Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi. However, the 25-year-old decided to stay at Real Sociedad.
Liverpool star Alisson Becker to miss six weeks of action due to hamstring injury: Reports
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to miss at least six weeks of action due to a latest hamstring injury. As a result, the Reds will have to play seven games without the Brazilian goalkeeper, as he's not expected to return before the next international break.
The Brazilian goalkeeper was substituted in the second half of the Reds' 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on October 5, Saturday. Czech goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros was subbed in to replace him and helped the Reds secure the clean sheet.
Liverpool's second-choice goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, missed the match due to illness. However, the Irishman will return to action for Liverpool after the October international break. Arne Slot said after the match (via BBC):
"It's quite clear then that he (Kelleher) is the number two. Otherwise, the last time Alisson was injured I would have played Vit, but I played Caoimhin. So Caoimhin is the number two and did really well."
Next up, the Reds will host Enzo Maresca's Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday, October 20.