The Reds are reportedly thinking about mounting a summer bid for the talented winger.

This summer, Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, will have the challenging task of replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. Next year, he hopes to have another successful first season.

The Dutch manager is anticipated to leave Feyenoord before the 2024–25 campaign begins, and he might give priority to the upcoming summer transfer window.

It will give him a chance to put his own stamp on the team by making roster changes—albeit with the team at the club above him keeping an eye on him.

Liverpool may need some time to adjust to a new coach with different ideas because Klopp has been with the team for nearly nine years, during which time he has shaped the squad to suit his aesthetic and playing preferences.

Klopp-Liverpool’s final match

This suggests that Slot would need some patience from the board and supporters in the coming months as new players get adjusted to their new roles and existing players acclimatise to a new way of playing.

Despite it being only May, Liverpool appears to be looking to bolster their lineup. It is said that they have one Eredivisie player in their sights.
Football Insider reports that Liverpool is contemplating a bid to sign PSV star Johan Bakayoko this summer in an attempt to increase their alternatives in the Eredivisie.

It has been stated that the Premier League’s top teams have been eyeing the Belgium international for a “while.”

This suggests that, in contrast to the Dutch coach, who has had difficulty this season with PSV and Bakayoko, the club may be adopting a more club-led strategy and that they were already interested in the young forward before Slot moved to Anfield.

PSV’s Johan Bakayoko

Additionally, according to the source, talks on Mohamed Salah’s immediate future on Merseyside are set to take place in the coming weeks, with the Eredivisie star being evaluated as a possible long-term replacement for the Egypt international.

However, it’s still unknown if the current Liverpool player would sign with the squad this summer or stay for at least another season, perhaps acting as a mentor to Bakayoko.

Patrick Berger of Sky German reported in March that PSV is apparently holding out for a transfer fee of up to €60 million (£51 million) for the winger. It is uncertain, though, exactly how much the Reds are willing to pay for his services.

Slot and the recruiting staff could be able to get a player that would be a fantastic addition to Diogo Jota at Anfield, though, if they can successfully negotiate a deal for the 21-year-old phenom.

Johan Bakayoko’s extraordinary creative talent

The Belgian maestro has been playing brilliantly for the Dutch squad over the last year or two, showcasing his ability to make a big difference up top, particularly as a creative force.

Among attacking midfielders and wingers in the Men’s Next 14 Competitions (aside from the major five leagues), Bakayoko is in the top 9% in terms of assists per 90 (0.32) and anticipated assisted goals per 90 (0.29) during the past 365 days. 

PSV’s Johan Bakayoko
Furthermore, when it comes to non-penalty xG and xAG combined per 90 (0.60) and shot-creating actions per 90 (5.20), he is among the top 8% of his positional counterparts.

These figures show how good the Reds target has been year-round at providing for his teammates, making him one of the most inventive players in those contests for his position.

You can still see that Bakayoko significantly outplayed current Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in the final third, despite the fact that he plays in a different league.

Despite playing in four less games than the Colombian international, the left-footed gem, 21, who plays on the right side, scored more goals with less area of possession and created many more opportunities for his teammates.

These figures show that Jota would thrive at Anfield with a clinical center-forward. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has previously lauded the Belgium international as “dominant.”

Why Johan Bakayoko might be a good fit for Diogo Jota
Considering that the Portuguese striker has proven to be a lethal finisher, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player may be the perfect partner for the winger.

Forward Diogo Jota of Liverpool
In the Eredivisie during the 2023–24 season, Bakayoko only recorded nine assists from 10.61 xA and twelve “big chances” produced. This indicates that his teammates let him down by being wasteful in front of goal and failing to capitalise on his inventiveness.

That might not be the case if he has the opportunity to regularly play with Jota the following season because the right-footed forward is a potent attacker who can play through the middle or out wide.

The 27-year-old player outperformed his xG by a considerable amount, as the table above shows, making him the Liverpool team’s most ruthless finisher during Premier League season.

He also scored three goals from 2.08 xG in the Europa League and seven goals from 6.5 xG in the premier division in the 2022–2023 campaign.

These stats show off Jota’s consistent quality in front of goal as well as his unusual propensity to waste excellent opportunities to help the Reds score.Bakayoko might be Slot’s perfect top-tier partner at Anfield based on his PSV success. For Slot, the 21-year-old talent has the potential to be a fantastic creative force.The Belgian wizard may consistently create fantastic opportunities, as he has done for the Dutch squad, for Jota to seize in the future season and beyond, making them an intriguing combination for the club.