Liverpool appear ready to clear space in their squad for fresh arrivals, but the question remains—who should they target if both Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez depart?
So far, the Reds have conducted their transfer activity with a measured and discreet approach, focusing mainly on offloading players who are no longer central to Arne Slot’s plans. The recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, has made it a priority to streamline the squad before making any major additions.
One of the notable pieces of business was the sale of Jarell Quansah, with Hughes cleverly including a buy-back clause in the deal—a move that has been widely praised as a smart long-term strategy.
Although several other players have been mentioned in relation to potential exits, the market has remained relatively quiet with no significant offers made public.
The most likely player to leave next appears to be Darwin Nunez, who is attracting serious interest from Napoli. However, finalising that deal will depend on resolving the details surrounding the fee and other contractual terms. Harvey Elliott could also be on the move, especially after enhancing his reputation with a string of impressive performances during the European Championships, which solidified his case for a place in a senior role.
Elliott’s challenge now is the stiff competition in midfield following the club-record acquisition of Florian Wirtz, as well as the presence of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai—both of whom are also well-suited to the attacking midfield position.
Who Should Liverpool Target If They Sell Darwin Nunez?
If Liverpool decide to sell both Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, the immediate temptation might be to go all-in for Alexander Isak in what would likely be another club-record deal. However, a more measured approach would be to delay any move for the Swedish forward until next summer and instead focus on addressing two important gaps in the current squad.
Starting with the forward line, the ideal scenario would be to convince Stuttgart to lower their £65 million valuation of Nick Woltemade to something closer to £50 million. A structured deal including performance-related add-ons could potentially sway the Bundesliga side into agreeing.
Woltemade would offer Arne Slot a versatile forward who can operate as a No.9 or from either flank, providing flexibility in attack.
Despite standing at 6ft 5in, Woltemade possesses remarkable dribbling ability that has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, especially in how he operates in tight spaces and in the No.10 role. Liverpool reportedly have a “genuine interest” in securing his signature.
Should a deal for Woltemade prove difficult to finalise, Liverpool could turn their attention to a more familiar name in the Premier League—Ollie Watkins.
While he may be older than many of the other linked targets, Watkins offers reliability and a proven goal-scoring record. His experience could provide the consistency and cohesion needed to help Slot’s evolving side settle quickly.
Who Should Liverpool Sign to Replace Harvey Elliott?
The situation is much the same for Harvey Elliott. A direct replacement may not be necessary, especially with Florian Wirtz now in the squad and Arne Slot already possessing a strong pool of midfield options.
If Liverpool receive an offer in the region of £40 million for Elliott, the bulk of that fee should be directed towards securing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Liverpool are currently at the front of the queue for Guehi, and his signing would be a smart move for both the immediate future and the long term.
While Ibrahima Konate is pushing for a £200,000-a-week contract, and renewing his deal might appear more cost-effective than signing a new centre-back, there’s greater value in bringing in a player who is fully committed. Even if Guehi isn’t quite as technically gifted on paper, his dedication and reliability could make a bigger difference overall.
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