Liverpool are plotting a dream start to the summer transfer window with an £80million move for Bournemouth starlet Eli Kroupi, a hijack of Barcelona’s top defensive target, and a marquee swoop for PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all on the cards.
The Reds face several huge transfer decisions at the end of the season. And they could use the upcoming World Cup to their advantage.
How? By targeting quality players who’ve missed out on a ticket to the tournament.
THE KRouPI PRIZE: £80M FOR BOURNEMOUTH’S TEENAGE SENSATION
Let’s start with the big one. Eli Junior Kroupi has been absolutely flying for Bournemouth this season. The 19 year old has bagged 11 Premier League goals, averaging one every 126 minutes. That’s serious numbers for a teenager.
French outlet Telefoot claims Liverpool are among several clubs interested, Real Madrid and PSG are also sniffing around. But Bournemouth have a habit of selling their stars for massive fees. The Cherries could demand up to £80million for the young striker.
Here’s the clever bit. Kroupi is a France U21 international but hasn’t broken into Didier Deschamps’ senior side yet. He’s very unlikely to be at the World Cup. That means Liverpool could get him through the door early, no saga, no deadline day drama.
And with Hugo Ekitike rupturing his Achilles earlier this month, the need for another striker is urgent. Ekitike faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after surgery. Alexander Isak will lead the line, but Kroupi would offer rotation and be a long term successor.
BASTONI: BARCELONA TOLD TO BACK OFF
Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has been linked with a move away for months. And Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup means the 27 year old could complete an early summer transfer, no waiting around for the tournament to finish.
Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport previously reported that Bastoni’s valuation has dropped from £60million to £40million. A bargain in today’s market.
Recent claims suggested Barcelona had won the race for his signature. But don’t write off Liverpool just yet.
The Reds could make a real statement by snapping up Bastoni as Arne Slot prepares to revamp his defensive options. Jeremy Jacquet is already arriving from Rennes. Ibrahima Konate is in talks over a new contract. But Virgil van Dijk is nearing the last 12 months of his current deal.
A statement centre back signing? Bastoni fits the bill perfectly.
KVARATSKHELIA: THE MARQUEE STATEMENT LIVERPOOL NEED
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Remember him?
He tore Liverpool apart in the Champions League this season as PSG knocked the Reds out for the second year running. The Georgia captain is world class and he won’t be at the World Cup this summer.
The 25 year old has been linked with Liverpool before. Former Georgia assistant coach David Webb even told talkSPORT he spoke to Kvaratskhelia about his interest in the Premier League during their time working together.
He only joined PSG in January 2025. But speculation over his future has never really gone away.
Here’s why this makes sense. Mohamed Salah is leaving at the end of the season. Luis Diaz was sold last summer. Liverpool are crying out for wingers. Signing a marquee player of Kvaratskhelia’s quality would reassert their place as title contenders overnight.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM LAST SUMMER’S MESS
Let’s be honest, Liverpool’s transfer business this season was a shambles at times.
They completed a British record deal for Alexander Isak on deadline day. The saga impacted the forward’s match sharpness. He took months to get going.
They also looked set to sign Marc Guehi in the final hours of the window, only for Palace to pull the plug. Guehi later joined Manchester City. That one still stings.
Targeting players who aren’t at the World Cup? That’s learning from past mistakes. Getting deals done early. Giving new signings time to settle with their teammates before the season starts.
THE DREAM WINDOW
So here’s how it could look:
Kroupi £80m. Teenage goal machine. Long term successor up front.
Bastoni £40m. Experienced, ball playing centre back. Barcelona left in the dust.
Kvaratskhelia Marquee signing. Salah’s replacement. Statement of intent.
Three signings. Three positions. One clear message: Liverpool aren’t messing about.
The World Cup will disrupt plenty of clubs. The Reds could be the ones laughing.
