Liverpool could see £55m bid accepted to sign the next Szoboszlai
The Jürgen Klopp era at Liverpool handed fans the success they had been craving for countless years, with the German taking the Reds to new heights during his nine-year tenure.
The 58-year-old won five major trophies during his time at Anfield, subsequently securing the club’s first Premier League title after numerous failed attempts.
Battles with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will live long in the memory of all supporters, with Klopp able to hand a generation worth of fans the moments that will stick with them forever.
However, his departure in the summer of 2024 handed Arne Slot the task of emulating the achievements in the Premier League – something which the Dutchman did with ease last term.
The 2025/26 season has struggled to ignite as many anticipated – especially after spending £450m on new additions – with a real focus being made on this business this summer to right the wrongs.
Liverpool could have £55m bid accepted for European star
Over the last couple of days, Liverpool have been just one of a handful of Premier League clubs touted with a summer move to land Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane.
The Ivorian has been the subject of talks between the two clubs in recent months and understandably so given his tally of five goals in just ten league starts this term.
However, the Reds aren’t alone in the pursuit of the 19-year-old attacker, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City both closely monitoring his progress in Germany.
Despite the reported interest in Kofane, he’s not the only player from the Bundesliga in Liverpool’s sights, with RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba another star linked with a summer move.
According to TEAMtalk, the Reds are extremely keen on a deal to land the French international, who’s already racked up 26 appearances across all competitions this campaign.
The report also states that his current side are resigned to losing the 23-year-old during the upcoming window and would accept an offer in the region of £55m.
However, just like Kofane, Slot’s men aren’t alone in their pursuit, with rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all expected to make a move during the off-season.
Why Lukeba would be Liverpool’s next Szoboszlai
Whilst Liverpool have fallen way below expectations so far this campaign, the same can’t be said for midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who’s certainly been one of the club’s star performers.
The Hungarian international, who cost £60m in the summer of 2023, has featured in a variety of positions, but still managed to catch the eye regardless of his starting role.
He’s currently sat on 12 goals and eight assists in his 45 appearances across all competitions, with such a tally the best return of his career on Merseyside to date.
The 25-year-old’s goal catalogue throughout 2025/26 has been nothing short of remarkable, with Szoboszlai finding the back of the net with four direct free-kicks.
He’s consistently managed to dig Slot’s side out of trouble in key moments, with it unimaginable where the Reds would be this term without his contributions in attacking areas.
However, the club have the perfect chance to emulate the Hungarian’s transfer this summer, but that all depends on fending off competition for Lukeba’s signature.
Whilst the aforementioned pair operate in different positions, the Frenchman would be emulating the midfielder in making the move to Anfield from German side RB Leipzig.
Jeremy Jacquet is already set to arrive on Merseyside in the summer, but it appears as though the hierarchy are targeting added defensive reinforcements with a move for Lukeba.
The 23-year-old has starred in Germany’s top-flight throughout the ongoing campaign, with his underlying stats highlighting the quality he possesses in the defensive third.
The centre-back has made a staggering 5.4 ball recoveries per 90 so far this term, with such a tally ranking him in the top 8% of all defenders in the division.
|
Castle Lukeba – Bundesliga stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
23 |
|
Goals & assists |
1 |
|
Pass accuracy |
90% |
|
Passes per 90 |
60 |
|
Ball recoveries made |
5.4 |
|
Times dribbled past |
2 |
|
Interceptions made |
1.3 |
|
Aerials won |
51% |
Such a quality demonstrates his ability to dispossess attackers bearing down on his goal – something which has been the Reds’ downfall this campaign.
Lukeba’s talents without the ball are further reflected in his impressive tallies of 1.3 interceptions made per 90, whilst being dribbled past just twice in 23 matches.
The latter of the aforementioned stats is similar to the levels produced by Virgil van Dijk, with Lukeba able to offer a long-term solution to the club’s defensive department.
However, he’s also been extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet this term, subsequently completing 90% of the passes he’s attempted and averaging 60 passes completed per 90.
The Frenchman’s talents in and out of possession could make him an excellent signing for Slot’s men, with the backline an area that desperately needs addressing this summer.
£55m for a player of his calibre would be excellent business, not to mention the potential he possesses to reach the next level in his career during the years ahead.
Should he make the move and get anywhere near the levels produced by Szoboszlai at Anfield, it would be a deal that could allow the Reds to fight for the title once again in 2026/27.
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