Liverpool Handed Major Transfer Boost Following Championship Play-Off Final | OneFootball

Liverpool Receive Transfer Boost Following EFL Championship Play-Off Final Result

The headline football game on Sunday came at Wembley as Southampton secured promotion back to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Leeds United. This result could have a considerable impact on Liverpool’s transfer plans in multiple ways, which could massively aid Arne Slot’s transformation at Anfield.

Liverpool’s Boost Over Leeds United Duo

With Leeds United failing to secure promotion back to the Premier League, the Championship side are expected to need to raise funds through player sales in the upcoming summer window. Liverpool have been heavily linked with two of Leeds’ standout performers this season, with Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray both subject to interest from the Reds.

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Now with Leeds United’s fate sealed, those two players could be available for much cheaper than they would’ve should Daniel Farke’s side secured promotion themselves. The £40-50million figure being named for the duo will likely decrease a fair amount after today’s result.

Fitting into Liverpool’s Plans

The links with Summerville have divided the Liverpool fanbase, with some labelling him as ‘the next Sadio Mane’ but some remaining unconvinced on his true ability. Should Liverpool pursue the 22-year-old, it would likely only be in the event that Luis Diaz leaves the club with Barcelona reportedly interested in a £75million swoop for the Colombian. Summerville would serve as a potential direct replacement on the left-wing.

Archie Gray, for me, is a much better option for the Reds should a decent price become available for the 18-year-old. The teenager is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the world at the moment and a long queue of elite clubs are expected to be waiting for his signature. Originally trained as a defensive midfielder, Gray has also been crucial to Leeds’ success this season from right-back. That sort of versatility, alongside his incredible ability, makes him a hugely attractive proposition to Liverpool and Arne Slot’s tactical plans.

Southampton Keeper Impresses Again

In the absence of Gavin Bazunu, 34-year-old Alex McCarthy has stepped up to the plate with great efficiency for the Saints. That proved to be the case again in Sunday’s final as he kept another clean sheet, conceding just two goals in his last four games against high-end opposition in the Championship.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for McCarthy to take Adrian’s place as the Reds’ third-choice shot-stopper. With the veteran’s Southampton contract set to expire next month, I struggle to see any reason why Liverpool won’t be able to get this deal over the line quickly.

All Eyes Forward

All attention will now be focused on Liverpool’s transfer plans, with Arne Slot’s era looming large it will be definitely interesting to see how the Reds approach this transfer window and whether any of the above players will be involved. The Leeds United duo will take some time before anything concrete is revealed, but I’m extremely confident that McCarthy will be at Liverpool next season, unless they’ve discovered an alternative target.