Liverpool hold agent talks to sign World Cup star

It would take something special for Liverpool to rally and mount a Premier League title challenge under new boss Andoni Iraola, but then the Anfield side did just that with Arne Slot during the 2024/25 campaign.

Of course, it all went a bit haywire last season, but FSG believe they have found a remedy in Bournemouth’s high-flying manager of the past few years, who in May secured Europa League football for the Cherries, a crowning achievement after three seasons of growth.

Were it not for the individual brilliance of Dominik Szoboszlai throughout the season, Liverpool may well be staring ahead at Europa League or Conference League football.

As it was, they clawed their way into Europe’s elite competition by the skin of their teeth, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

With the likes of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all having left on free transfers, more Szoboszlai-esque figures are needed.

Liverpool suffered any number of problems last season, but one of the most prominent bumps was a lack of confidence and leadership in attacking areas.

Iraola has resolved to change that, but whether he will succeed is another matter. It’s clear that sporting director Richard Hughes is in pursuit of experienced and elite midfielders, though, with calls made to sign Mateus Fernandes and Ayyoub Bouaddi, the young Moroccan superstar, in recent weeks.

However, perhaps the Anfield side should aim even higher. In fact, they may well be, with a bona fide superstar on their shortlist.

Well, if transfer reporter Ben Jacobs is to be believed, then Liverpool have made an initial enquiry to agents to learn the conditions of a potential deal for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes this summer, with the 28-year-old also the subject of a number of informal bids from Arsenal in the past “24/48 hours”.

So then, the Gunners have the lead in the race for the Brazil international, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Guimaraes has a £100m price tag that will make any deal difficult – but not impossible.

The interest is very much there from FSG, but it’s clear that they will need to move quickly if they are to steal ahead in the race.

Why Guimaraes could even surpass Szoboszlai at Liverpool

Guimaraes is Newcastle’s linchpin. Had Eddie Howe failed to convince the one-time Lyon prospect to join his incipient project at St. James’ Park in January 2022, the Magpies would surely have failed to hit the heights they have reached in recent seasons.

He is “world-class“, according to analyst Raj Chohan, who marvelled at the Selecao star’s performance against Scotland at the World Cup, and could even stake his claim as Liverpool’s star midfielder next season, surpassing even Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai has really grown into his skin at Liverpool. Ebbing and flowing across his first two years on Merseyside, the £60m signing from RB Leipzig has now emerged as Liverpool’s main man, the difference-maker last season.

He’s a formidable player, but Guimaraes may well be even more accomplished as an all-action midfielder, more combative and confident in switching things up, blending stylish attacking play with resilient and, at times, frightening defensive steel.

Liverpool need experience such as Guimaraes can offer, especially with so much change afoot. Szoboszlai is captain material, but Liverpool still left a lot to be desired in the engine room last year, and Guimaraes would not resurrect but revolutionise a midfield structure that must fire on all cylinders to charge Iraola’s high-intensity vision.

Szoboszlai has emerged as something of a talisman for Liverpool, providing Slot’s side with strength and leadership last season. Just imagine someone such as Guimaraes added to the mix, combining with the Hungary skipper and ensuring the Iraola starts off to a flyer.

It’s the kind of signing that could prove the difference in Liverpool’s quest to lift either the Premier League or the Champions League next season, perhaps even both.