Liverpool transfer news amid Anthony Gordon contact as Reds 'closer' than Bayern Munich in race

Liverpool transfer news as contact may have already been made for Anthony Gordon, while the Reds are said to be closer to signing a midfielder than Bayern Munich

Anthony Gordon is being linked with a summer move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

There is still plenty of work for Liverpool to do this season, and that could well have a huge bearing on the Reds’ business during the summer transfer window.

Arne Slot went a step closer to claiming a second piece of silverware at Anfield as his side eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup with victory over Brighton at the weekend. The Dutchman knows his priorities lie in securing a place in next season’s Champions League though.

Missing out on a place at Europe’s top table could have a damaging effect on the Reds, especially if it is eyeing up more big-money signings, as the latest reports suggest. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the latest transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds.

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

Liverpool is leading the race for a summer transfer for Anthony Gordon, according to CaughtOffside. The Newcastle winger has been strongly linked with a return to Anfield previously, having started out with the Reds’ academy before joining Everton as a youngster.

Interest in the England international is said to be strong, with Liverpool having admired Gordon for some time, while it’s claimed that “informal contact” may have already been made to assess whether a move is possible.

Arsenal and Manchester City are also named as potential suitors, although it’s the Reds that are said to be the frontrunners. Newcastle won’t make it easy after Alexander Isak’s move to Anfield last summer though, and a fee as high as £95 million ($129M) is touted.

Liverpool.com says: Gordon would certainly add some much-needed pace on the wing, but there are question marks over his end product, with Newcastle not exactly getting the best out of him at the moment.

For that amount of money, you'd want more of a guarantee of some goals. Liverpool's interest in Gordon is no secret, given what happened a couple of years ago, but it feels like the club will need to be more careful with its money this summer.

Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar)

Liverpool is in the running to sign AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, Bild’s Christian Falk has told Bayern Insider.

The Reds are mentioned in a round-up of players being linked with a move to Bayern Munich, although the German team's interest in Smit has been played down.

Instead, it’s suggested that Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid are “closer” to signing the 20-year-old midfielder, who has already been linked with a move to Anfield this season.

Kees Smit has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool.com says: There does seem to be a lot of excitement about Smit, with suggestions that he might make the Netherlands' squad for the World Cup. If that happens, you can guarantee Liverpool wouldn't be the only club keeping an eye on him.

The Reds might well need a new midfielder adding to the ranks in the summer, especially if Curtis Jones does end up moving elsewhere, but the defense needs to be the priority, perhaps followed by the wide areas before the engine room is bolstered.