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As the 2024-25 Premier League season enters its final stretch, Liverpool’s hierarchy is preparing for a pivotal summer transfer window marked by strategic reinforcements and squad evolution.

With the summer market opening June 1-10 and June 16-September 1 under revised Premier League guidelines, sporting director Richard Hughes and manager Arne Slot are aligning plans to build upon their current 11-point league lead while addressing long-term needs.

While Mohamed Salah’s new contract alleviates immediate worries about the attack, long-term succession planning remains critical, particularly given the Egyptian’s advancing age.

Additionally, the likes of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz have all seen their futures come under scrutiny at the club in recent weeks.

But at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield plans stands Orkun Kökçü, the 24-year-old Benfica playmaker whose €150m release clause hasn’t deterred Slot’s pursuit.

This is according to Portuguese outlet Record, who report that Liverpool scouts attended multiple Benfica fixtures this season, including their Champions League clash against Feyenoord, where Kökçü scored a late penalty in a 4-0 rout of Atlético Madrid.

Arne Slot managed the Turkish international between 2021 and 2023 at Feyenoord.

Kökçü captained the Dutch side to their first Eredivisie title in six years, contributing 21 goals and 14 assists across their title-winning campaign.

This is far from the first time that the Reds have been linked to the 24-year-old.

Infact, the player’s father spoke about his relationship with Slot last year, saying on a potential transfer.

“Arne is a good friend of ours.