Official approach for Liverpool forward heralds potential continuation of Reds' transfer business 💰

Offloading the deadwood before the Euros finish is critical

Benfica have reportedly made an official approach for out-of-favour Liverpool forward Harry Wilson, according to The Athletic.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive season on loan in the Championship, registering 19 goal contributions in 37 league appearances.

“Benfica want to sign Liverpool winger Harry Wilson - but initial talks between the clubs have broken down over the €15m asking price,” James Pearce wrote for the reputable publication.

Should a switch to Benfica not pan out, it’s possible that one of Wilson’s other admirers may swoop in, though doubt would have to be cast over some suitors’ spending power in comparison with the Portuguese giants.

“Premier League new boys Brentford and Championship side West Bromwhich Albion have also registered interest in the Wales international,” the Liverpool journalist added.

“Swansea City boss Steve Cooper is another huge admirer of Wilson having worked with him previously at Liverpool’s academy. He tried to sign him on loan last summer but Swansea lost out to Cardiff.

“Cooper has been linked with a number of clubs himself this summer, including the vacant manager’s job at Fulham, and his next move could open up another potential avenue for Wilson.”

With a contract set to expire in the summer of 2023, it’s a move that would make a certain amount of sense for the Reds, particularly considering that the likes of Diogo Jota and returning loanee Harvey Elliott will likely be competing with our main starters.

That’s not forgetting Jurgen Klopp’s reported interest in expanding his forward options with a new signing, which may drop Wilson further down the potential pecking order.

Theoretically, securing £13m for the Welshman could help set the wheels in motion for the recruitment team to pursue our second summer signing, which we imagine will focus on replacing PSG-bound Gini Wijnaldum.

It does, admittedly, all depend on a number of interrelated factors - how far player sales will impact on transfer business (and, by extension, whether Ibrahima Konate’s signing completely depleted our kitty), how confident the club feels about further sales and, perhaps most importantly, whether recruitment has identified suitable targets.

According to The Athletic, we are hoping to raise in excess of £60m in player sales, though it is, at this current point in time, unclear whether further purchases beyond Konate will be dependent on us reaching this figure.

Assuming that a deal can be brokered between us and Benfica, we would only be required to find a further £47m to meet the reported target; an amount that realistically should be achievable with the likes of Marko Grujic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi all lined up for Anfield exits.

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