Florian Wirtz is in the process of signing for Liverpool this summer in what will likely prove a British-record deal, with Bayer Leverkusen demanding £120m to part with their prized possession.
It’s droning on a bit, the transfer saga, but then engineering a record deal for a world-class superstar was never going to be a walk in the park, and it bears testament to sporting director Richard Hughes and his team that Liverpool have batted off rival interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to take the lead in what is now a one-horse race.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold now officially a Real Madrid player, it was always going to be important that Liverpool replace him not just positionally but creatively as well, and Wirtz is “unbelievably intelligent” in his passing, says Leverkusen’s former executive CEO assistant, Devin Ozek.
When (if) the Wirtz deal is wrapped up, Liverpool will want to turn their focus to the front of the ship, with a new centre-forward needed after difficult campaigns for Slot’s natural number nines.
However, the sale of one of Anfield’s biggest stars has led Liverpool to rekindle their interest in Anthony Gordon.
Why Liverpool are interested in Anthony Gordon
Gordon signed for Newcastle United in a £45m deal back in January 2023, and despite a slow start across the latter phase of that campaign, Gordon notched 28 goal contributions during the 2023/24 season and was crowned the club’s Player of the Season.
Newcastle would want £80m to let the England international leave St. James’ Park this summer, but that hasn’t stopped Liverpool from registering their interest in Gordon, who dreams of returning to Merseyside and joining his boyhood club.
Now, why is this? Well, interest is growing in Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, with FSG already rejecting an offer from Barcelona and stating the Colombian is not for sale, report The Athletic.
However, the Premier League side’s stance is likely far more equivocal, with the right offer sure to open the door for the 28-year-old’s sale. Al-Nassr are also intrigued, and maybe their riches would be more fitting for a summer departure.
Should Diaz depart, it would be because a suitor, likely from the Saudi Pro League, has agreed to meet FSG’s €85m (£72m) valuation.
If that happens, Liverpool will move for a new wideman, but it might not actually be Gordon who gets reeled in.
Liverpool lead race for Gordon alternative
The problem with Gordon is he’s worth £80m, and given there’s a similar player who could be signed for half that sum and placed to challenge Cody Gakpo for the number one spot, it seems silly to go down the more expensive route.
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That player is Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who, according to TEAMtalk, has been heavily scouted by Liverpool in recent months as Slot weighs up a move.
Fofana’s £40m release clause makes him an attractive option. Arsenal and Aston Villa are also interested, alongside Liverpool, with the trio all said to be leading the race.
The player’s agent, Bobo Fofana, however, has previously claimed that Anfield would be his “choice of heart.”
What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool
Fofana may only be 20 and with 62 Lyon appearances to his name, but he’s already made quite the name for himself in France, joining from Belgian team Gent for a fee rising to €22m (£19m) in January 2024, when he was only 18.
Across 41 matches in all competitions this season, the wideman scored 11 goals and provided six assists for his teammates, and with his principal position being on the left flank, he’d be ideal to replace Diaz.
That is, unless Gordon signs for the club. Liverpool’s interest in the English star is long-standing, but it might be that moving for the Scouser wouldn’t be in the club’s best interests, not when Fofana’s progress suggests he could do the same job.
Given that he’s four years Gordon’s junior, he might even eclipse him in the years to come.
Matches (starts)
34 (28)
29 (16)
Goals
6
5
Assists
5
4
Shots (on target)*
1.7 (0.6)
1.1 (0.4)
Pass completion
81%
84%
Key passes*
1.5
0.9
Big chances created
6
6
Dribbles*
1.1
0.8
Tackles + interceptions*
1.1
1.1
Ground duels (won)*
4.4
2.8 (54%)
As you can see, both wingers enjoyed similar seasons in their respective leagues, but is Gordon performing at a level which proves he should cost double that of his French counterpart?
As per FBref, Fofana ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for non-penalty goals scored, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 16% for touches in the attacking box per 90.
His athleticism and pace have actually led the data-driven site to record Gordon as one of Fofana’s most comparable players, further evidence that he should be signed instead.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
So then, the template for something remarkable might just be there. A natural goalscorer, Fofana has also been praised for his “explosive” running by analyst Ben Mattinson. Moreover, the defensive quality you can see ranks well against Gordon is something that would serve him well in the Premier League.
Given the richness of Liverpool’s attacking options, bringing in Fofana as a long-term project might not be the worst idea in the world, with his crisp passing aligning with the way Diaz plays and his fleet-footedness a further string to his bow.
With Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and the rest of them helping unlock Fofana’s high potential, this could be a shrewd move the Reds look back at fondly indeed in the years to come.
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