I’d prioritise CB and CF first and then a CM if we can and an experienced back up keeper on a cheap/free deal.
I think Kabak is passing his audition and with a deal there to be done I think we go for it rather than twisting and going after another target. £18m seems a reasonable fee and I think he’ll look much improved alongside a senior centre back when they come back.
CF it’d be great to get Daka in but the risk of three players from the same area of the squad heading off mid season to the Afcon could be a worry. Although they haven’t qualified for the last two so perhaps worth the risk. Absolute goal machine number nine and a very different option to Firmino.
Donyell Malen’s name cropped up on the rumour mill in the last week and he’s another number nine type that reminds me a bit of Rashford. Direct running, pacey and cool finisher. He’d be an exciting addition but it’s a big big step up.
An interesting one could be Matheus Cunha at Hertha. They’re struggling this season but he’s doing okay. More of a forward type than the other two but can play a bunch of positions and we know Klopp likes flexibility. Might not bring the goal scoring prowess of the other two but could be a much needed injection of flair a d creativity.
Centre mid will be interesting. And I’m assuming Gini is off because he’d have signed a contract by now if he wasn’t. If we can’t afford the right one this summer I could see us stick with what we’ve got. But, with Thiago, Milner and Henderson all thirty plus, I think we need to be looking at the next generation as Ox and Keita aren’t it unfortunately. I think the type of player will depend on whether we’re trying to replace Gini like for like with another box to box type or whether we think we need someone more creative.
I’ve no desire to see Renato Sanches come in. Sorry, just doesn’t do it for me. Same for Sander Berge, he’s just a relatively cheap option but would be nothing more than squad filler I fear.
Bissouma would be great but I think the price will make it prohibitive unless Brighton go down but even then I’d imagine they’d be plenty of competition.
Either Neuhaus or Aouar would be very exciting and if I was picking I’d go with the German I think. He’s more similar to Gini, I believe he has a release clause which isn’t too eye watering and he very much seems to be growing as a player.
Aouar is someone I’d argued for instead of Thiago last year and I think maybe he doesn’t have the same industry as Neuhaus but is perhaps a little more attacking. Not sure how Lyon feel about dealing with us after the whole Fekir fiasco though.
Outgoings I think most of us are on the same page with. Adrian can go. I’d sell Phillips now whilst his value is as high as it’ll get here and he’s never going to be a long term option. Don’t see us getting any offers for Matip either and I’d eep Davies for now and in case of us qualifying for the Europa.
In midfield, Gini is gone. I’d take whatever we can get for Grujic (maybe Hertha would take him as part of a deal for Cunha) and Wilson. A decent offer for Ox and I’d consider it as I don’t see him getting back to where he was without playing week in week out and I don’t think he gets that here. I doubt we get anything close to enough to what would tempt us.
Up top I’d get what we could for Taki, Shaq and Div. Hopefully Taki does enough to convince Southampton to make the deal permanent. I still think there’s a player there but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for him here. Div should have gone after the CL final but now we need to make it clear his time is done here.
That should give plenty of depth and quality whilst also bringing in some younger players to be part of the next great team.