Liverpool have no plans to make a late move for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko in the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The 21-year-old has lit up the Eredivisie for the Eindhoven giants over the past couple of years and had apparently been identified by Liverpool as an ideal successor to Mohamed Salah.
Bakayoko came through the PSV youth system after leaving Anderlecht in 2019 and has been involved in 42 goals in 87 games for his current side, 22 of his own and 20 assists.
Last term, the Belgian international shone with 14 goals and as many assists in 48 matches, and he has already scored one goal and set up another in his first two appearances of the 2024-25 season.
Bakayoko's PSV contract only has two years left to run, though, and PSV are not thought to be totally against a sale in the current transfer window if their price demands are met.
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Liverpool 'quoted £35m' to sign Bakayoko
Speculation over Salah's long-term future had led to suggestions that Liverpool could make a move for Bakayoko, whom Arne Slot is familiar with from his time in the Eredivisie.
However, Football Insider claims that the Reds are not expected to make a serious attempt to sign Bakayoko before the window shuts, despite being impressed with his performances over the past year.
PSV have supposedly slapped a £35m price tag on Bakayoko's head - not an unaffordable amount for Liverpool - but the Reds feel that they already have enough attacking options at their disposal.
Such a stance suggests that Liverpool are not expecting Salah to leave the club before August 30, even though he is now in the last 12 months of his contract and is still on the Saudi Pro League's radar.
A sale this summer was not thought to have been beyond the realm of possibility, but as Liverpool will apparently not pursue Bakayoko right now, they are seemingly counting on the Egyptian for the remainder of 2024-25 at least.
Will Liverpool sign any players this summer?
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While the social media teams of all other 19 Premier League clubs have had to come up with creative announcements for signings this summer, Liverpool are the only English top-flight who have not added a single player to their ranks.
The lack of Anfield activity can be partially attributed to Richard Hughes - their new sporting director - having to sort out three high-profile contracts at once, as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk's terms expire next year as well.
It has not been for the want of trying, though - Liverpool were oh so close to capturing Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi before he had a late change of heart - and at least one new face should arrive before August 30.
The Reds are rumoured to be making progress in talks over a deal for Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who would first be loaned out to Bournemouth before being integrated into Slot's squad in 2025.
Liverpool are also thought to be open to the right opportunity in midfield, but there are early indications that Ryan Gravenberch could kickstart his Reds career under Slot this season after a difficult debut campaign.
![Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured in May 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured in May 2024 [IMAGO]")
