Arne Slott set to 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 is expected to be another busy summer of transfer business. And the Reds are already reaping the benefits of that effort, confirming two signings that could be important in the coming years.
It would be a huge surprise if Arne Slott’s side repeat the £400m they spent on new players last summer. But the Merseysiders are clearly not sitting idle while their rivals assess future targets. With that in mind, chief executive Michael Edwards has already approved two new signings ahead of the summer transfer window. Both have considerable expectations regarding their potential impact on the backline, especially in the slot.
Jérémie Jacquet is the most notable new addition due to be announced at the end of this season.
The centre-back will join Liverpool from Ligue 1 side Rennes after the clubs agreed a £60m deal in January.
It was speculated at the time that Jacquet could complete the move during the winter period, when Liverpool’s defense appeared to be at a slump.
However, it was ultimately decided that Rennes would retain the 20-year-old for a further six months.
Slott may regret not pushing for a January contract more aggressively, especially given the situation that has befallen Jaquet since then.
Specifically, he suffered a shoulder problem in February’s game against Lens, which required successful surgery earlier this month.
With an estimated recovery period of eight to 12 weeks, Jaquet could arrive at Anfield not fully match-ready.
Jeremy Jaquet is one of two deals already completed by the Reds (Image: Neil Simpson/All Star/Getty Images)
However, his limited game time over the coming months at least reduces the risk of a more serious injury developing while out of Liverpool’s care.
Another player Liverpool have confirmed is that they have agreed in principle for another centre-half to join the club.
Austrian youth international Ifeanyi Ndukwe is a player who can be expected to develop over the long term, considering he is only 18 years old.
Despite his young age, this outstanding talent established himself as a consistent presence in Austria’s Vienna reserve team.
The youngster has made 10 appearances in the country’s second division this season, but is yet to earn promotion to the first team.
Since his transfer to England was confirmed, Ndukwe has started to earn his place in Austria’s Vienna first team. Despite this, his precious first-team debut has so far failed to materialize.
He was also promoted from Austria’s U-17 program to the U-18 tier this season. He made two appearances for the under-18s in last month’s friendly against Portugal, one in a 1-0 defeat and the other in a 1-1 draw.
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