What NEEDS to happen for Liverpool to sign playmaking wizard | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz is the primary transfer focus in the eyes of many Liverpool fans. But that doesn’t mean other targets aren’t being pursued.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot have got plans to overhaul the squad this summer. And that means big changes up front, where several incomings and outgoings are scheduled to take place.

We could see Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota leave the club if the right bids are received - and the proceeds of those deals could see a new No9 brought in.

There is uncertainty over Federico Chiesa too, with plenty of interest in the 27-year-old winger coming from Serie A. Luis Diaz is also under scrutiny and if no new contract is agreed for the Colombian then he too could be on the way out.

It’s believed that Liverpool will be operating on a one-in, one-out basis this summer, with FSG reluctant to throw big money around. And Liverpool’s planning in the attacking department will be kick-started by departures.

As well as Wirtz, another player Liverpool are “keen” on, according to the latest report in Football Insider, is Rayan Cherki.

Liverpool keen on Rayan Cherki

First linked with the Reds before the January transfer window, it now looks as though the Lyon star has played his last game for his hometown club.

The 21-year-old bid farewell last weekend at the Groupama Stadium, laying on a beautiful assist for Alexandre Lacazette. His form this season has been imperious for the Ligue 1 club, who are facing sales this summer due to their financial predicament.

Lyon will ask for only €22.5m, according to reports, with the France under-21 international under contract until 2026.

Liverpool are not the only club interested in Cherki, according to the Football Insider report, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all thought to be keen.

© IMAGO - Rayan Cherki Lyon

Liverpool must sell before buying Cherki

But Liverpool currently have NO space to add Cherki to the squad, and will not make a move for him until sales are completed.

The Reds will have to sacrifice one of their forward options to add Cherki, who operates from the right wing primarily but who is also capable of playing centrally.

“The Reds are keen on the Frenchman but would have to sell one of their existing forwards before launching a concrete move,” the report states.

“It is believed Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on Cherki – who came through the ranks at Lyon and made his senior debut in 2019.”

This season he has made 20 assists for Lyon, scoring 12 goals. With Wirtz being touted as a €150m signing, Cherki would represent a rare piece of value in the market. But first, outgoings are required.