Liverpool and Arsenal ready for battle as ‘biggest transfer war’ of 2026 set to begin
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Liverpool and Arsenal will reportedly go head-to-head for the signing of Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure this summer.Both clubs are seemingly in the market for wide forwards, and have been attracted to a breakout season from Toure in the Bundesliga.Having scored five goals and laid on nine assists for Hoffenheim, the 20-year-old has been one of the most impressive forwards in Germany, with Fussballdaten claiming that the ‘biggest transfer war of the summer’ will now erupt to secure his signature. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Paul Ellis/AFP Toure set to leave for club record feeThough they have had very different seasons on the pitch, Liverpool and Arsenal look likely to be after some of the same players to bolster their squads ahead of next year.
Toure could reportedly be one of them.Liverpool are said to have been one of the first clubs to show ‘formal interest’ over the Ivorian, while Arsenal’s ‘comprehensive data analysis and background checks’ have highlighted him as an explosive, pacey player worth targeting.Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford are also claimed to be keen on Toure, as Hoffenheim prepare to land a big fee.Roberto Firmino’s former club have been having a good season, and with one Bundesliga game left to play, retain a chance of playing in next season’s Champions League.Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Why Liverpool have doubts about signing Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig this summerShould they qualify, Hoffenheim will reportedly attempt to keep Toure, but if they do not make it, a sale is seemingly the most likely course of action.It will not be easy for Liverpool, though. As well as the presence of Arsenal, amongst other big-hitters, they are also going to have to pay a club record fee.Hoffenheim have made some good sales in recent years, Firmino among them, but they will reportedly look to make Toure the best of the lot.
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it? Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones If he is to leave, it is claimed that the Sinsheim based club will aim to beat the €43.5m they banked for the sale of Joelinton to Newcastle in 2019.€50-55m will reportedly be the aim, and if Liverpool, Arsenal, or any of the other interested parties, can meet this figure, Toure, it is claimed, will be allowed to leave.Liverpool have several targets in the Bundesliga this summer, including Yan Diomande and Antonio Nusa, and in Toure, it looks like they have found yet another.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox