Liverpool are beginning to put plans in place for what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window.

The Reds are on course to have a successful season, with Arsenal’s dropped points against West Ham on Saturday edging them closer to the Premier League title.

And while focus must be remain on the pitch for the Liverpool squad and Arne Slot, sporting director Richard Hughes should be looking to the market in preparation.

The jury is still out on Hughes after a quiet start to life at Liverpool, and the feeling is that summer of 2025 will be a real test for him.

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One player who has been heavily rumoured to be on Hughes’ radar is Bayern Munich legend Joshua Kimmich.

Kimmich is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Anfield as a result.

And as the clock ticks down on the German’s deal, a breakthrough has seemingly been reached on his future.

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Kimmich is not at all the kind of profile Liverpool usually go for in the market.

However, given the paucity of examples, we don’t yet fully know how Hughes intends to operate.

Nevertheless, a 30-year-old on big wages arriving from a European giant didn’t ever feel like the way the former Bournemouth director would go.

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And according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, it won’t be.

Final details still need to be clarified.

“As always reported despite other ongoing reports: There were never any concrete talks with Real Madrid and Liverpool.”

Plettenberg’s update will not be a surprise to Liverpool fans.

Although there’s an argument that Kimmich would be an ideal addition to the squad, it never felt especially likely to happen.

And the latest development comes hot on the heels of a report from TeamTALK which claims the Germany international was never a top target for the Reds.

They claim that Liverpool have instead got two names on their list as potential alternatives to Kimmich.

The first is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, who is reportedly being considered, while Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller is said to be ‘on the radar’ as well.

Two very different profiles who would potentially perform differing roles at Liverpool.
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