The end of the season will mark a major transformation at Liverpool. Three of their most important players, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk, are finishing their contracts, and everything indicates they won't renew. This represents a significant blow for Arne Slot's team, which will lose its captain, its offensive star, and its most talented full-back in a single market.
The English club is already planning its future without them, but their departure represents a great opportunity for many European teams looking for reinforcements.
Barça Wanted Alexander-Arnold
Despite the quality of the players, Barça was only interested in Trent Alexander-Arnold. The club's priority is to strengthen the right-back position, as Jules Koundé has no replacement. The Englishman from Liverpool, with his talent in ball distribution and his ability to join the attack, fit perfectly into the blaugrana style.
However, it seems his destination will be elsewhere. Everything indicates that Alexander-Arnold is very close to signing for Real Madrid. The blaugrana board will have to look for other options in the market to strengthen the right-back position and give Koundé the competition he needs.
"No" to Salah and Van Dijk
Unlike Alexander-Arnold, neither Van Dijk nor Salah are in Barça's plans. Although their quality is undeniable, there are two key factors that distance them from the club: age and salary.
Their extremely high salaries make any move unfeasible. Barça is still going through economic difficulties and can't afford to sign players with such high contracts. To make matters worse, they also don't fit the current sporting needs of the team.
The Other Deal Barça and Liverpool Could Negotiate
Despite everything, Liverpool and Barça could end up closing a transfer this summer. According to "El Nacional," the English team is very interested in Ronald Araújo, who has a release clause of 65 million for this summer. With Van Dijk's imminent departure, Liverpool sees the Uruguayan center-back as the ideal replacement to lead their defense in the coming years.
Barça has no intention of parting with Araújo, but if the player doesn't finish the season as a starter, he could request a departure. Liverpool, with great economic power, would be willing to make an effort to sign him. Araújo's future will undoubtedly be one of the great unknowns of the next summer transfer market.