“I’m listening and watching" - Brazilian attacker comments on possible Liverpool move
Brazilian attacker Igor Paixao has commented on a possible move to Liverpool, after reports linked him with the Merseyside giants this summer. The 24-year-old Feyenoord forward could follow his former head coach Arne Slot to Anfield if the Reds make a move.
According to Globo Esporte, Liverpool have set their eyes on the attacker, placing him on their list of potential targets this summer. He has had an impressive stint with Feyenoord over the last two years, racking up 12 goals in 45 games across competitions last season.
Now, Paixao has spoken about a potential move to the Premier League. Asked by Globo Esporte whether he would be leaving the Netherlands for Merseyside, he said (via Empire of the Kop):
“I’m listening and watching on social media. A lot of people are always tagging me and asking: are you going to Liverpool? I don’t know anything, I’m just waiting.”
However, he also explained that his future isn't entirely in his hands, with his representatives and Feyenoord's board of directors both having a say.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen urges Reds to retain Salah and Van Dijk
Former Reds star Michael Owen has urged the club to hold onto key players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. The duo are in their 30s, and there have been regular reports about potential replacements and moves for younger options.
iIt's also worth noting that Van Dijk, who is the club captain, is in his final year of his contract at Anfield. The same goes for their Egyptian ace Salah.
The club may be willing to let the duo - and their high wages - go, but Michael Owen has warned against that. He explained to AceOdds (via Anfield Watch):
"It all depends on what terms and things like that, doesn't it. There’s always fans out there that are so desperate that say: ‘Just give them whatever they want’ and I'm not a person who thinks that, of course. But you've got to keep the difference makers. You've got to find difference-makers...
“And every team is the same. There will be good players, great players, and then there's just the absolute elite, and Virgil Van Dijk is the absolute elite. Mo Salah in his position, is the absolute elite. If you take both of them out of the team, they're not going to win the league next year..."
There are already reports about Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad making a move for Mohamed Salah this summer, as they did last summer.
Van Dijk is also likely to be in a similar situation, with interest growing from the Middle East. Time will tell if they both remain at Liverpool beyond this summer.