The summer of 2024 will represent many changes at Liverpool Football Club. For the first time in nine years, the Reds will have a new manager to take over, with Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the Premier League season.
He has been replaced by former AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, who will manage a club outside his native Netherlands for the first time in his career. Klopp confirmed the appointment after Liverpool's last Premier League game when he started the song at Anfield on behalf of Slot.
As with any summer, speculation has started to pile up for Liverpool about who they could sign. However, this transfer window feels a little different, given the appointment of Slot, and there is more uncertainty surrounding the club.
At this stage of the summer, the amount of money available to Slot in the 2024 transfer window is not guaranteed. However, he will no doubt be looking to strengthen the squad in a number of areas to bolster his squad ahead of a crucial first summer at Anfield.
Recently there have been rumors that Mohamed Salah may leave Anfield in the summer, although he has recently been beaten, neither club nor player is thinking of leaving. However, there is one player that Liverpool are aiming to be the first to slot into the club.
Liverpool's first summer transfer target
The man in question here is RB Leipzig and Spain midfielder Dani Olmo. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is highly regarded in Liverpool's ranks, and could be the first signing under Slot this summer.
According to reports in Spain, the Reds have “started to move” on Olmo. The Spaniard has a £51m release clause in his current contract, although that is understood to expire on July 15 this year.
It is said that Liverpool are not the only club hunting Olmo's signature this summer. They believe that other clubs in England Manchester City and Manchester United are looking for him, while European giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona also want to bring him to their teams. The amount of interest in Olmo is perhaps not surprising, given his impressive form in the 2023/24 season for Leipzig.
Indeed, there is a suggestion that Olmo's choice this summer is to join Barcelona, however that may not happen for the 26-year-old. Their financial problems persist after some difficult years on the financial side. Barca may not have £51m for Olmo, however much they, or the player, want for a move. Enter Liverpool, who are ready to sign him if he can't join Barca.
Why Dani Olmo would be a good signing
The biggest red flag when it comes to signing Olmo is that he has had an injury problem during the season.
He missed 29 matches for Leipzig and Spain in 2023/24, the most he has missed in a single campaign and has not played in the last few games. However, Olmo has been named in Spain's provisional squad for Euro 2024, suggesting he has put an end to his recent fitness issue.
|
Dani Olmo 2023/24 injury record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Injury |
Days out |
Missed games |
|
Knee injury |
37 |
11 |
|
Acromioclavicular joint dislocation |
53 |
16 |
|
Muscle injuries |
18 |
2 |
|
Statistics from Transfermarkt |
||
Despite the injury, however, there is no doubt that Olmo is an excellent footballer, a sentiment he shares with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. After Olmo's goal for Dinamo Zagreb against Cityiens in 2019, Guardiola described his compatriot as “amazing”, explaining that he has a “bright future”, and that he could one day “play in the strong leagues in Europe”.
Olmo has impressed this season for Leipzig, despite his limited game time. The Spaniard has played 25 games in all competitions, scoring eight goals and registering five assists. He registered a hat-trick in the German Supercup against Bayern Munich earlier in the term to secure the trophy for Leipzig.
Interestingly, there are some similarities between Olmo and La Liga player of the season, Jude Bellingham. According to Fbref, Olmo is averaging 1.99 assists per 90 minutes, compared to Bellingham's 1.87 assists per 90 minutes.
Not only that, the Spaniard is averaging 3.79 shots per 90 minutes, while Bellingham is averaging 3.85 shots per 90 minutes. There is little difference in their goalscoring per 90 minutes, either, with Leipzig number seven at 0.5 per 90 minutes, and England at 0.51 per 90 minutes.
However, where Olmo excels is on the ball. He is a wonderful, fluid dribbler and uses his body to roll past defenders with ease, just as Bellingham passes forward. He is very good on the half turn and can dive past defenders once he gets the ball, which helps with his close control. keep his inheritance.
In fact, he is statistically better than a Ballon d'Or contender when in possession. Olmo averages 3.73 per 90 minutes, 3.04 into the final third per 90 minutes, and 1.12 into the penalty area per 90 minutes.
In comparison, Bellingham averages just 3.31 carries per 90 minutes, 2.84 into the final third per 90 minutes and 1.01 into the penalty area per 90 minutes. The only place where the Englishman has scored Liverpool's goals is finishing in 90 minutes, with a previous average of 1.95, compared to Olmo's 1.93.
Signing the Leipzig star would give Liverpool their answer to Bellingham, who they targeted last summer, although he pulled out of the deal before moving to Real Madrid. Instead, signing the Spanish sensation could add a similar option to their team, raising the technical ceiling given Olmo's great ability on the ball.
At £51m, it could be a deal that gives Liverpool a great option this summer, and kicks off the Slot revolution in the best possible way. It wouldn't be an easy deal, given the other clubs targeting him, but he would be a top player and, as Guardiola said, they would be signing an “unbelievable” player if they brought him to Anfield.
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