The groundbreaking Liverpool summer transfer deal that could crash the internet

Liverpool will be going all out to retain their Premier League title next season. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester City are expected to come back stronger, with plenty of fresh faces likely to be snapped up in the summer transfer window, and the Reds need to be ready for a higher calibre of opposition.

Arne Slot has done a great job since taking over at Anfield last year, and he’s expected to be backed heavily by the Liverpool board once the window opens, with a number of elite talents set to make their way to Anfield for the 2025/26 campaign. Few predicted that Slot would win the Premier League in his first year, after he was picked as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, with Man City’s nosedive in form taking the footballing world by surprise.

With Liverpool well and truly capitalising on Pep Guardiola’s side’s dramatic fall from grace, it will be fascinating to see how they respond next season, and whether the Reds of capable of both defending their title and becoming a relentless force up there with the Citizens at the peak of their powers.

Liverpool linked with surprise Kevin de Bruyne transfer swoop from Manchester City

Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne has an ‘offer’ from Liverpool, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. The Belgium international, who has 109 caps under his belt, is leaving the Etihad Stadium in a matter of months for a new challenge somewhere else. He is also wanted by Napoli in Serie A, and it would be a surprise if one of two oil-rich Saudi Pro League sides didn’t make him a lucrative offer - he now has a huge decision to make.

His next destination is unclear at this stage, but the Reds look to have now emerged as a strong contender for his signature in what would be a shock deal if they managed to get it over the line. Slot will want to inject some more quality into his ranks and could see the 33-year-old as world class option to boost his squad. A switch to Merseyside would be seen as controversial by many, but staying in England is understood to be an attractive option for the midfield maestro, who has become a Premier League all-time great during his lengthy stay in the top tier of English football.

De Bruyne, who was born near Gent, started out with his local team before switching to Genk. He then broke into their first-team as a youngster before embarking on spells at Chelsea, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg. His current club then came calling for his services in 2015 and he hasn’t looked back since.

He has helped them win everything, and is now seeking a change of scene. The veteran has made 418 appearances in all competitions so far to date and has scored 108 goals, six of which have come in this campaign. He only has four more matches left to play with Guardiola’s side before his exit will be official.

Obviously, City fans would not want to see him join another team in England, let alone a title rival in Liverpool. The two clubs have had a bit of a rivalry over recent years, so going to the Reds would be a real eyebrow raiser should De Bruyne opt for a stint at Anfield. Slot has managed to tie down Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to new deals which makes them a more attractive proposition in the market now, and De Bruyne would only add to the pool of elite talent at his disposal.

Will Liverpool actually sign Kevin de Bruyne?

De Bruyne wouldn’t have to move house or uproot his family if he joins Liverpool. They may also have big money to spend now Trent Alexander-Arnold will be off their wage bill. However, he has an affiliation with City and will be well aware that his relationship with their supporters may be tarnished if he signed for the Reds.

He will clearly have plenty of other options on the table and will need to pick the right one for him and his family. A player with his quality will have interest from all over the world and there will be a lot of factors that he needs to consider. If he wants more cash, those tantalising offers from Saudi Arabia will always be there, but with those great riches come the issues of an underwhelming standard of the football and lack of crowds.

A move to the USA can’t be ruled out either, and the glitzy lifestyle may well be one that appeals to him. Major League Soccer sides require designated players and there are likely to be many of them eyeing up an ambitious swoop for him over the next couple of months. Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami has raised the profile of the league and it has become the perfect playground for older professionals over the past couple of decades, with a fervent, ever-growing fan base.

De Bruyne’s final match in a City shirt will be their away clash at Craven Cottage against Fulham on the final day. They are also in the FA Cup final a week before at Wembley against Crystal Palace, meaning he may well get his hands on one final trophy before he heads out the exit door. With the perfect way to sign off at the Etihad, surely few would begrudge him a seeing out his golden years under Slot at Anfield.