Arne Slot has warned that Liverpool may have to sell star players this summer to continue strengthening the squad after a disappointing return from their big money outlay last year.
Liverpool spent nearly €500 million last summer, including breaking the British transfer record twice, but the Premier League holders will end the season without a trophy after being knocked out the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Slot’s side are also in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season and the potential loss of revenue could have significant financial implications on the club’s summer plans.
With Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson already announcing they will leave Anfield in the summer, the Liverpool boss admitted sales will be necessary before any signings can be made.
“Much has been said that the club is in a transition,” Slot said after the loss. “The club has sold eight or 10 players to make money to sign five or so very talented players. We have to sell to buy.
“We are losing some players on a free transfer. It is a big challenge in the summer but the club has shown this model works. As I said many times the future looks very good, especially if we can sign players after good players leaving this summer.”
Liverpool set for difficult summer to replace departing star players
Liverpool’s outlay last summer was the most any team has spent in any single window in Premier League history, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike being brought in for substantial fees.
Replacements will be needed for Salah and Robertson, who have been two of Liverpool’s most important players in recent history, but both players will leave on a free transfer and will not generate any income for the Reds.
Ibrahima Konate could hand Liverpool another blow if he also chooses to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires in June, although the Frenchman is believed to be close to penning a new deal.
Liverpool could choose to take advantage of interest in players such as Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones and Alisson in order to generate funds, with the defence expected to be a key area of investment ahead of the summer transfer window.
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