The Reds are planning to rub salt into Mikel Arteta’s wounds this summer.
It’s not just in the Premier League where Liverpool are hoping to get one over Arsenal this season. Arne Slot’s men currently lead their rivals by nine points with just nine games each to go, with many perceiving the title race to be already over.
However, Slot’s men will have to lift themselves following a deflating week leading into the international break. The Champions League penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain was followed by a tame display in the League Cup final loss to Newcastle, leading to fresh calls from fans for Slot to strengthen his squad this summer. Concern is also exacerbated by the prospect of losing Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mo Salah on free transfers
Sure enough, the club’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, is now reportedly lining up a player previously targeted by Arsenal. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool plan to capitalise on Wolves’ desire to resign Diogo Jota by setting up a swap deal.
Matheus Cunha has already been linked with a move to Anfield. The Brazilian forward has 15 goals in 29 club games this season and speculation has also been rife that Mikel Arteta will try and sign the star to solve his current forward problems.
However, offering Jota back to the Molineux club will undoubtedly give Liverpool the upper hand in the pursuit. The Portuguese forward’s finishing prowess has long been lauded at Anfield, but Slot has seemingly lost patience with his lack of reliability.
28-year-old missed almost two months of the season before Christmas with injury and was ruled out for four games in January. Fitness issues also plagued his 2023/24 campaign, and along with Darwin Nunez, he has been touted to leave Merseyside this summer
The Dutch boss has previously admitted to managing Jota’s minutes carefully in order to avoid potential injuries. He has also explained how the former Atletico Madrid man has been given a special training programme to follow.
A part-exchange deal could also save FSG a considerable fee. Cunha, 25, recently signed a fresh deal at Wolves that runs until 2029 and includes a release clause of around £62.5 million.