Liverpool have already completed two transfers ahead of summer window | Football | Sport
Arne Slot will welcome two players to Liverpool at the start of the summer window (Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media, Getty Images)
Liverpool are already hard at work preparing for what looks destined to be another busy summer of transfer business. And the Reds have already benefited from their endeavours, having confirmed two signings who could prove crucial in the years to come.
It would be a significant surprise if Arne Slot‘s squad were to replicate the £400million spent on new additions last summer. However, the Merseysiders are clearly not resting idle while their rivals assess prospective targets. With that in mind, chief executive officer Michael Edwards has already authorised two new acquisitions in advance of the summer transfer window. Both possess considerable promise regarding their potential impact on Slot’s backline in particular.
Jeremy Jacquet is the most noteworthy new arrival scheduled to be announced at the conclusion of this season.
The centre-back will join Liverpool from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes after both clubs agreed a £60m deal back in January.
At the time, it was speculated that Jacquet could have completed the transfer in the winter window, a spell when Liverpool’s defence seemed to be faltering.
However, it was eventually decided that Rennes would keep the services of the 20-year-old for a further six months.
Slot may well regret not advocating more vigorously for a January signing, especially considering what has befallen Jacquet since.
Specifically, the shoulder problem he picked up against Lens in February, which necessitated successful surgery earlier this month.
With an estimated recovery timeframe of eight to 12 weeks, Jacquet could conceivably arrive at Anfield not entirely match-ready.
Jeremy Jacquet is one of two signings the Reds have already completed (Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)
However, his limited game time over the forthcoming months at least reduces any danger of a more serious injury developing while he’s beyond Liverpool’s care.
The other confirmed signing Liverpool have agreed in principle will see another centre-half join the club.
Austria youth international Ifeanyi Ndukwe represents a longer-term development prospect, considering he’s still just 18.
Despite his tender years, the towering talent has established himself as a consistent presence in Austria Wien’s reserve squad.
The youngster has appeared 10 times in the country’s second division this campaign, though he’s yet to make the breakthrough into the senior team.
Since his move to England was confirmed, Ndukwe has started to accumulate more substitute outings for Austria Wien’s senior outfit. Nonetheless, that prized first-team debut has remained elusive thus far.
He has also advanced from Austria’s under-17 programme to the under-18 tier this season. He appeared twice for the under-18s in consecutive friendlies against Portugal last month, losing 1-0 in one and drawing 1-1 in the other.
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