Liverpool lining up bid for £400,000-a-week star as Arne Slot looks to make major statement to Premier League rivals

Liverpool have reportedly identified their next transfer target 24 hours after their 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo meant it was a famous night at Anfield as Liverpool defeated Real for the first time in 15 years.

As well as being eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, Arne Slot's side are the only team to win all five of their Champions League group stage matches.

The Dutchman has won 17 out of his 19 games as Liverpool boss so far, and he has done so without significant investment in the squad over the summer.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia but was loaned back to the Spanish club for the season, while Federico Chiesa arrived for a £12.8 million fee from Juventus but has been unable to make any significant impact at Anfield.

That should mean that funds are available in January - particularly given Liverpool's failed summer pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi - although it would perhaps be a surprise to see major business.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are instead preparing a summer bid to sign Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong, who has long been on Manchester United's radar.

It is claimed that De Jong could be into 'his final months in Barcelona' and that the Spanish giants' financial situation could force them into a sale.

Frenkie de Jong has recently returned from an ankle injury (Image: Getty)

He is one of the club's highest earners - largely because his contract is backloaded due to deferred payments during COVID-19 - with some outlets suggesting the figure is as high as £400,000-per-week.

That would no doubt be a concern for Liverpool, whose main priority at present is to commit Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts.

De Jong also suffered three ankle injuries last season, but has recently returned to action and will hope to be a key player under Hansi Flick.

At 27, Liverpool will still see him as a potentially crucial player for years to come - and a move to the Premier League for the Dutchman could finally happen.

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