Confidence is growing. £105m double deal is in the works with current star key to monumental attacking transfer

Liverpool are growing confident that a brilliant double transfer is on the cards this summer, with Wataru Endo set to play a key role in capturing a winger who is likely to cost the Reds a staggering €65m fee.

New Reds boss Arne Slot has yet to dip his toes into the transfer waters since taking charge at Anfield, with the astute Dutchman carefully looking at the merits and capabilities of his squad before deciding exactly where to strengthen. His new era began brightly on Friday night as Liverpool overcame Real Betis 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in Pittsburgh, with one of Jurgen Klopp’s latest signings, Dominik Szoboszlai, scoring the decisive goal.

But while Slot is yet to spend any money this summer, the Dutchman has attempted to allay fears that Liverpool will fail to make any signings, stating his confidence that there is business to be done and that he would be shocked if the Reds did not add to their squad.

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“We already have a very good squad that I’m very happy with,” Slot stressed. “But it would be a surprise for all of us, I think, if we don’t bring any players in, so that will probably happen in the end.

“But for now, we’re just waiting for players to come back and waiting for the right players to sign.”

And with work on those early signings taking place in the background, TEAMtalk understands that Slot has three areas he would like to focus on in particular, with a new central defender, a deep-lying midfielder and, increasingly importantly, a new striker as part of his summer strategy.

Liverpool transfers: Wataru Endo to help Slot secure Takefusa Kubo deal

Part of Slot’s thinking is that talismanic star Mo Salah will not be around forever and, at 32, and especially with just one year remaining on his current contract at Anfield, Liverpool need to prepare for his eventual departure.

And while doubts over Luis Díaz’s future have also eased in recent weeks, there are still questions over whether the Colombian remains in Slot’s long-term plans.

As a result, it’s no surprise to see them linked with a number of wingers, with the likes of Nico Williams, Johan Bakayoko and Anthony Gordon heavily mentioned in recent weeks.

However, in recent days much of the attention has turned to Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, who the Reds have been tracking since the Klopp days.

And throughout this week, it has been claimed that the Reds are close to finalising a €65m (£55m) deal for the brilliant Japanese star, something which Real Sociedad’s chairman was quick to deny.

Now, however, reports in Spain believe a move to bring Kubo to Anfield is underway and to further those claims, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness said Football Insider why he thinks the move could pay big dividends for the Reds and how current Liverpool star Wataru Endo could help in negotiations.

“Celtic have pioneered the Japanese market,” Wyness began. “It’s an exciting market. I know a lot of my friends and contacts have been visiting recently, they believe there is real talent there.

“It is also a strong commercial market.

“There is a huge opportunity there. Kubo could be a match-winner for Liverpool and provide a huge commercial bonus for the club.

“Endo could be crucial. Him being at Liverpool means Kubo won’t be alone, there will be someone there who can talk to him and guide him in the right direction.

“The club has facilities to assist players, but having someone who speaks their language will be essential.

“There is no doubt that they will talk if this transfer goes through.

“Endo is the right kind of character for this kind of role, and if this transfer goes ahead, I hope it will be a success.”

Liverpool discovers the price needed to sign top defender

The Reds are also set to look for a new central defender, with Slot keen to add to his squad having left Joel Matip at the end of last season and with captain Virgil van Dijk, like Salah, also in the final 11 months of his current contract.

While Liverpool are hoping to fend off Saudi Arabia’s interest in Van Dijk, they know that, at 33, his time at the top may not last forever and that they will one day have to think about his successor.

Now, TEAMtalk has discovered that Juventus defender Gleison Bremer is one of the Merseysiders’ top targets this summer, with Slot said to be a big admirer of his services.

The 27-year-old is considered one of the best defenders in Serie A, having been a key figure in a Bianconeri defensive unit that conceded just 31 goals in 38 games last season.

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This performance earned Brazil international recognition with three consecutive appearances in the Série A team of the season.

And with Juventus willing to accept a bid in the region of €59m (£50m) this summer, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is said to have taken a closer look at the merits of the transfer, doing some due diligence on the player’s character and how much it would cost in wages to bring the 27-year-old to Anfield.

Liverpool, however, are confident a deal can be struck and that Juve are willing to negotiate his sale if an approach is made.

Slot had initially intended to sign a left-sided central defender and move Van Dijk to the right. But with Bremer also right-handed, that plan could be abandoned – or at least put on ice for this summer, should the Reds make their move.

And with a potential £105m double deal in the works for both players, Liverpool could soon be in for a pair of quality additions to their squad.