Liverpool targeting £30m star that Arne Slot invited to his house
Arne Slot and Liverpool will be looking to bring in some reinforcements as they look to evolve the squad and have the Reds challenging for the Premier League next season.
This season will be viewed as a disappointment among fans, even though they could finish third due to the performance of the team and the manner in which they were eliminated from cup competition and their defence of the title.
Slot appears to have been given the vote of confidence to rebuild the squad and manage the club next season, and he is already setting his sights on a few names to improve the team in the transfer market.
There is a need for the Reds to bring in some defensive reinforcements, and one of the names being touted is a favourite of Slot.
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Sam Beukema of Napoli, a man that Slot attempted to sign for Feyenoord when he was in charge of the Dutch club, is the player being linked with a move to Merseyside.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are set to make a move for the £30m-rated Beukema to bring him to Anfield for the next campaign.
Beukema has spoken highly of Slot previously and about how he was invited to the Dutch manager’s house in 2021 while in charge of Feyenoord as he attempted to bring him to the club.
This move would not materialise as the defender would opt to join AZ Alkmaar that summer despite meeting with the Dutch manager, turning down the chance to complete a footballing dream.
Speaking to the I Paper, Beukema said: “I’ve been a Feyenoord fan since I was a kid.
“So when Arne Slot invited me to his house to try convince me to come to Feyenoord, I was so happy. I was like, 'Is this real?’
“He had some real eye-openers in terms of his philosophy on football, tactics and also me as a player. He showed me clips of how I was playing at my club, Go Ahead Eagles. He said, 'You do this well, but this and this you can improve.' And I was like, 'Actually, I never thought about that.' I was of course convinced.
“I didn’t say no straight away to him. I was like, 'This feels really good.' But then after I spoke with my family and agent, we had to say no. That wasn’t easy, but I don’t regret it.”
The 27-year-old would love to test himself in the Premier League and has spoken about his desire to potentially represent Liverpool in the competition.
It may be likely that Slot and Beukema finally work together at Anfield, as the defender has spoken about his admiration for the Premier League-winning manager, particularly after their meeting.
He said: “I also have ambitions, and I hope one day I can play maybe in the Premier League or another big club.
“I used to support West Ham. I visited Upton Park once with my father. I was really impressed because the atmosphere was similar to Feyenoord's or Go Ahead Eagles. But, of course, there are so many amazing teams in England, so if another nice club like Liverpool came along I’m happy to go there one day.”
Brendan McGilligan