Arne Slot 'approves' Liverpool striker deal as Mohamed Salah's successor identified

Liverpool director Arne Slot would have given the green light to the Reds who chose a highly appreciated striker from the Eredivisie during the summer transfer window.

Amid suggestions that the Merseyside giants want to improve their wide options for the 2024-25 season and beyond, PSV EindhovenIt is Johan Bakayoko is supposed to be on the shortlist.

The 21-year-old continued to go from strength to strength over the past campaign, scoring 14 goals and as many assists in 14 matches in all competitions, helping PSV win the title.

Bakayoko's contributions include a six-match Eredivisie run from March 30 to May 5, while he also played a fundamental role in PSV reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Now with a total of 21 goals and 19 assists in 85 games for PSV, Bakayoko has been rewarded for his remarkable exploits with a call-up to the Belgium squad for Euro 2024, his first major tournament as a senior international.

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Liverpool gave priced encouragement in pursuit of Bakayoko?

The winger's deal in the Netherlands is still a few years away, but there is consensus that he will be moved after Euro 2024, and PSV are preparing for offers in the summer window.

According to the journalist Sacha TavolieriLiverpool have been tracking Bakayoko's performances since the middle of the 2022-23 campaign, and the striker is one of the few names on their summer forward shortlist.

Head coach Slot – who knows Bakayoko well from his time at Feyenoord – and head scout Barry Hunter have seemingly given their seal of approval, and their status as a Champions League club makes them an attractive proposition for the winger.

However, the Reds face tough competition from Borussia Dortmund And RB Leipzigwhile Paris Saint GermainThe name of has also been mentioned, but there has been no contact from the Parisians for the moment.

Why are Liverpool pursuing Bakayoko?

As well as the obvious footballing qualities – such as his pace, electrifying dribbling and eye for goal – Liverpool are making contingency plans just in case Mohamed Salah leaves once the 2024-25 campaign is over.

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The Egyptian's future at Anfield has long been a subject of serious debate, and his contract only lasts another 12 months, but he is expected to stay and help oversee Liverpool's post-match.Jürgen Klopp transition.

However, whether Salah commits his future to the Reds to a new deal is another question entirely, and Saudi Pro League clubs will only increase their interest as the months go by.

Furthermore, we don't know exactly what the next few years have in store for us. Luis Diazwho is reportedly on the radars of Barcelona and PSG, and there have been no discussions to extend his contract either.

With PSV supposedly happy to accept a fee lower than their €50m (£42.3m) valuation of Bakayoko, signing the 21-year-old would represent a brilliant long-term investment at a reasonable cost for the Reds.

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