Liverpool choose 'curious' midfielder as two other transfer priorities identified: report

Liverpool's summer of transition is underway, with Arne Slot installed as Jurgen Klopp's successor. The Dutchman will be looking to put his mark on the Reds squad and will have worked closely with new sporting director Richard Hughes to develop a plan of attack for the transfer window which officially opens on Friday. Defensive midfielder is a position that has already been flagged as a position of need for Liverpool this summer and it looks like they have taken a first step towards signing one of the best players in Europe this season.Ederson was part of Atalanta's Europa League winning team (Image credit: Getty Images)Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder Ederson was linked with a move to Anfield earlier this month and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Liverpool have made contact with the player 'curious' about the Premier League .“Atalanta midfielder reacted to Liverpool links, but what is the situation? Liverpool made contact with their agents weeks ago but never started negotiations, they haven't sent an offer so far, no discussions are underway at this stage," Romano said at Caught Offside."We have to see if they will include Ederson in their shortlist or not, it is very early for that and there is no significant change in the situation so far. Atalanta, on the other hand, does not want not lose Ederson and (Teun) Koopmeiners.VIDEO: Everything you need to know about Euro 2024The best features, fun and football quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.It comes after the 24-year-old, who received a first call-up from Brazil ahead of this summer's Copa America, was asked about interest from Liverpool.“I love Italy but I’m also curious about the Premier League,” he teased. “The only possibility of leaving is if Atalanta receives a proposal and then… they decide, it’s up to Atalanta…”Despite this early summer run, it would appear that Liverpool have other priorities when it comes to their summer goals.“I think Liverpool's top priority will be the new centre-back,” Romano said on his Daily Briefing podcast. “What they really want to make as a priority target is the new central defender, then an attacking addition is also important and possible if they find the right opportunity.”In terms of Liverpool's defense, Joel Matip will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month, while Virgil van Dijk turns 33 next month, meaning planning will be in place to find a successor.Sporting players Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande have both been linked in recent weeks.Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world before the big summer tournamentMore Liverpool storiesManchester City will line up Liverpool favorite to succeed Pep Guardiola - with two huge transfers to follow: reportLiverpool report: Negotiations begin to sell the defenderLiverpool report: Trent Alexander-Arnold ready to leave as Real Madrid deal mooted window.reliableConsentGiven.then(function(){ !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function() {n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)} ;if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '230404523817416'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); })