5 Olympic players on Liverpool's transfer radar as Arne Slot targets 'next Eden Hazard'

Liverpool could look to Paris 2024 for hidden gems this transfer window as Arne Slot eyes his first summer signing.

Though football isn't exactly a premier event at the Olympic Games, it offers an opportunity for up-and-coming players to strut their stuff on the world stage.

Only three players over 23 are allowed within a country's squad, meaning clubs will be keeping an eye on any starlets who light up the tournament, much like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams did for Spain at Euro 2024.

With players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk coming to the end of their Anfield careers, the club may seek youthful replacements, and what better place to find yourself a wonderkind than at the Games? Mirror Football takes a look at some of the young Olympians that Slot could recruit.

Ilaix Moriba

In 2021, few prospects looked to be bona fide superstars like Ilaix Moriba. After tearing up Barcelona's La Masia while playing for rivals Espanyol, the midfielder moved to Camp Nou in 2010.

He quickly became a star, and while attracting interest upon his contract expiry in 2019, the player who was touted to become the next Paul Pogba signed on with the Catalan giants and became part of Ronald Koeman's first team.

However, given the choppy financial waters Barcelona found themselves in during this period, it became clear that the 18-year-old may have to be sold. Most of the Premier League's top six showed interest in Moriba, including Liverpool.

The player was indeed sold, but to RB Leipzig for £18.5million, a sizable fee for a teenager in 2021. Yet, in the following years, the midfielder has been a grave disappointment. He struggled to shine on loan spells at Valencia and Getafe, but at 21 still has bags of potential and time to turn things around.

With his native Guinea at Paris 2024, Moriba will play a starring role for his side, who suffered a 2-1 loss to New Zealand in their opening fixture.

If Moriba can set this tournament alight with the composed ball-carrying and sheer athleticism then Liverpool may get back in touch to add something different to Slot's midfield – an area they are interested in bolstering.

Rayan Cherki

Lyon's skilful Frenchman has been on Liverpool's radar for nearly four years. The now 20-year-old made his breakthrough in 2019 and showed promise, immediately attracting interest from the Reds and Manchester United.

He has remained with the club he has been with since playing for their under-8s, becoming one of their star men and being touted as the club's best academy product.

The Frenchman plays as a technical number 10, dazzling with his dribbling, but has also been utilised on either side of a striker. The player's versatility could see Liverpool jump back in for the forward.

Slot is in the market for a long-term Mohamed Salah replacement as Cherki, who has previously been dubbed the 'next Eden Hazard', fits this bill. What's more, he has just a year left on his current deal contract and is yet to open talks over a new deal, meaning he may be available at a cut price. Transfermarkt currently values the player at £21.3m.

Federico Redondo

Young Argentinian holding midfielder Federico Redondo has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time and is an option that could shore up their midfield for the future.

Having previously played for Argentinos Juniors, the same club Brighton signed now-Reds ace Alexis Mac Allister, Redondo's contract was due to end this year. This situation reportedly sparked interest from top clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, who were keen on securing his services.

However, for several reasons, David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami tempted the Argentinian. The idea of linking up with international hero Lionel Messi took little convincing.

Redondo's football lineage is impressive, with his father, Fernando, having made over 200 appearances for Real Madrid, the city where the young talent was born. The player's connection to the sport runs deep, and his playing style has drawn comparisons to another La Liga great, Sergio Busquets, who is currently his team-mate in Miami.

Omar Fayed

Young Egyptian centre-back Omar Fayed could provide Liverpool with a defensive option for years to come - if he makes the switch to Anfield.

Amazingly, an academy product of Egyptian side Al Mokwaloon, Fayed is touted as the most promising prospect to come out of the club since current Reds legend Salah.

Now a Fenerbahce player and having spent last season on loan in Serbia, the 6ft 6in centre-half is built for a move to Liverpool. With Salah and the ageing Van Dijk rumoured to exit next season, Fayed could be both players' successors.

Fayed following Salah's footsteps, becoming an Egyptian leader at the club, and taking over Van Dijk's role as a defence stalwart could be poetically possible should Liverpool take the gamble.

If Fayed can impress at the Olympics, as he did while keeping a clean sheet in his side's opening draw with the Dominican Republic, the player could become a regular in Turkey next season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho - who helped develop the likes of Raphael Varane into a world-beating centre-back.

This could theoretically pave the way for this promising Egyptian to move to Merseyside. Though this transfer may be one for the future, Fayed could lay the groundwork for this tournament that could eventually prop up a potential move.

Joel Chima Fujita

Joel Chima Fujita, a former captain of Japan's Under-21 side, is set to play for his nation at Paris 2024. Born in Japan to a Nigerian father, Fujita moved to Belgian side Sint-Truiden last summer, leaving behind Yokohama F. Marinos in his home nation.

The player fits the bill for what Liverpool are looking for in a midfielder. With his technically sound play and ability to break up attacks, he could back up Mac Allister and progress into a starting role at Anfield.

His pivotal role in Japan's 5-0 victory over Paraguay in their opening Olympic fixture could position him to guide his team to a medal, with this performance perhaps acting as a catalyst for attracting interest from across Europe.

Fujita's impressive performance against England's under-21 side in 2023, where his team emerged as 2-0 victors, demonstrated his ability to compete with the likes of Harvey Elliott, another Reds target, Anthony Gordon, and Chelsea's Noni Madueke. All of whom were kept quiet during the fixture, further highlighting Fujita's potential.

Liverpool could look to recruit a midfielder for the future this summer, and Fujita's Olympics will be crucial should he wish to play his way into a big move in the future.