With Trent Alexander-Arnold still on course to depart free of charge this summer, Liverpool have reportedly made contact over a potential deal to sign a new right-back worth over £25m.
Liverpool transfer news
Following a relatively quiet summer transfer window last year, the Reds will have no choice but to welcome key reinforcements for Arne Slot if Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah all depart as free agents and all at the top of their game.
The Liverpool boss recently provided an update on his side’s potential summer plans, telling reporters: “Now we have a very good idea about summer plans. I’m not going to tell you which positions we prefer. But it is clear that we’ve assessed the squad, where we improve, and that’s where we go for in the summer.”
Of course, it comes as no surprise amid those comments that the transfer rumours have already been coming thick and fast, with the likes of Ademola Lookman and Jeremie Frimpong both threatening to steal the headlines as of late.
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With that pair a winger and a right-back, recent reports suggest that the Reds are certainly planning for the worst this summer – and that is very much the case for another recent rumour.
According to UOL in Brazil, Liverpool have now made their first approach to sign defender Wesley from Flamengo, who value their right-back at more than €30m (£25m) this summer.
Making contact over a potential deal to sign the 21-year-old, Liverpool could have their solution to their Alexander-Arnold problem in their sights. At just £25m too, Wesley could prove to be quite the bargain in the coming months.
Slot seems keen to act when the summer arrives, although he remained cryptic on just where he would improve his squad, making Liverpool a side to watch when the transfer window swings open.
“Immense” Wesley is a rising star
The Premier League is already incredibly familiar with young South American talents and Wesley could now become the latest to swap Brazil for England’s top tier.
The Reds have had quite the South American contingent in recent history too, from Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker and Fabinho to Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister, so Wesley would have no trouble fitting in.
Replacing Alexander-Arnold would be quite the task, however. At just 21 years old, asking Wesley to complete that job may well be a step too far at this stage despite the amount of praise that he’s received at Flamengo. That includes from U23 scout Antonio Mango, who dubbed the right-back “immense” back in 2023.
A player who added just two assists to his name at Flamengo last season, Wesley still has plenty of work to do before he reaches the level of Alexander-Arnold, and represents a player who would add depth to Slot’s side instead of an instant boost.