Liverpool hold transfer talks over rarely seen Blues star and join 3-club battle

Arne Slot and Liverpool are not resting on their laurels after winning the Premier League title with work already ongoing behind the scenes ahead of the summer transfer window

Liverpool are said to be interested in offering Christoper Nkunku an unexpected Premier League lifeline after opening negotiations with Chelsea over a possible deal for the Londoners' versatile attacker.

Nkunku established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most feared forwards but has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his move in the summer of 2023. And the France star is expected to push for a move this summer after falling down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca.

Liverpool are known to be in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and it appears the possibility of striking a cut-price deal for Nkunku has piqued their interest.

As revealed by Foot Mercato, Nkunku is on the Reds' shortlist of summer targets and talks over a deal have 'already taken place'.

They are not the only Premier League club interested in offering Nkunku an escape route from his nightmare stint at Chelsea; Newcastle are also admirers of the versatile forward, while Bayern Munich would supposedly like to bring him back to Germany.

Liverpool want to build on a stunning maiden season under Arne Slot by acquiring an elite No.9 for the newly minted Premier League champions.

Further signings in attack are also on the agenda and Nkunku's ability to play in a variety of forward positions would appeal to the champions, who also made contact with the representatives of Florian Wirtz this week to register their interested in the sought after Bayer Leverkusen star.

Wirtz, 22, is also a name in demand this summer after starring across the last two seasons for Leverkusen. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also hot on the attacking midfielder's heels, though there is an overwhelming feeling that Wirtz will opt to remain in Germany.

There has been progress on a deal for Wirtz's team-mate, Jeremie Frimpong, though, with Liverpool expected to trigger the 24-year-old's £30million release clause in the coming days.

Frimpong has emerged as the red-hot favourite to compete with Conor Bradley for Trent Alexander-Arnold's spot next season after the Reds academy graduate confirmed he would be quitting Anfield this summer. He is poised to complete a lucrative switch to Real Madrid after being courted by the Spanish giants for months.