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Liverpool is being linked with a shock swoop for Serge Gnabry on a free transfer next summer, with the German winger's contract at Bayern Munich due to expire in June 2026.
The former Arsenal player is into his eighth season at Bayern – which is something that not many observers would have predicted when he couldn't get into the West Brom team during a loan spell there in 2015-16. Bayern is reportedly keen on keeping Gnabry, but on reduced wages, which could prompt him to look elsewhere to continue his career.
Liverpool and Juventus are both being linked with a move for the 30-year-old, but reports in Italy suggest that Juve does not think it will be able to compete with the wages that the Reds will be able to offer.
It would be out of character for Liverpool to sign a player in his 30s, but the fact that he would be available for free would mitigate much of the risk involved with signing him.
Gnabry has made most of his career appearances as a winger and is equally comfortable playing on either flank, which could make him an appealing proposition to Arne Slot's squad.
That's because, at the moment, there is no obvious alternative to Mohamed Salah on Liverpool's right wing, while Luis Diaz's departure to Bayern over the summer left Cody Gakpo as the only established left winger at Slot's disposal.
If Gnabry were to take one of those places in the team, it would most likely be Gakpo's, unless Salah experiences a dramatic drop-off over the next few months.
Salah has not been at his best since the start of the season, but his return in front of goal has still been better than Gakpo's.
When predicting how Liverpool could line up with Gnabry at the start of next season, we need to factor in how the team could develop in other areas.
For example, Milos Kerkez – despite his slow start to life at Anfield – should hopefully have bedded in and regained his place in the team by then.
Marc Guehi may well have replaced Ibrahima Konate in the team, should both players move on from their respective current clubs as free agents next year.
Liverpool won't be giving up on Florian Wirtz any time soon, but the team has looked at its best this season when operating with the trusted midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Similarly, it feels strange to predict that Hugo Ekitike won't be a regular starter for Liverpool next season, but Slot can only choose 11 players, and Alexander Isak will surely come good.
How Liverpool could line up with Gnabry in 2025-26: Alisson; Conor Bradley, Marc Guehi, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mohamed Salah, Serge Gnabry, Alexander Isak
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