Liverpool 'stepping up' interest in Juventus star with Manchester United target 'wanted'

Liverpool are already being linked with potential new signings ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Reds are set for a new era at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp's departure as manager. Klopp took charge of his final match at the weekend and will leave his role on Merseyside in the coming days.

Arne Slot has been confirmed as the next Liverpool head coach and will be Klopp's replacement in the Anfield dugout. The 45-year-old has spent the past three seasons at Feyenoord and will now swap the Eredivisie for the Premier League.

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Even though Liverpool's season has only just come to an end, there are already rumours about potential new additions to the squad this summer. The latest rumours centre around the Reds signing a new forward and a midfielder.

According to Italian news outlet Tutto Juve, Liverpool are set to increase their efforts in signing Juventus star Federico Chiesa. It has been claimed that the Reds have had a long-standing interest in signing Chiesa, which is set to ramp up ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that Liverpool sent scouts to watch Chiesa in action for Juventus in last week's Coppa Italia final win over Atalanta. The forward started the game up front alongside striker Dusan Vlahovic as Juventus claimed a 1-0 victory to win the trophy.

Elsewhere, and according to Turkish news outlet Fotospor, Liverpool have joined the race to sign Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu.

The report claims that Slot wants to bring Kokcu to Anfield as his first signing as head coach. No price tag has been mentioned for what Benfica would demand to let Kokcu leave the club this summer.

Kokcu joined Benfica from Feyenoord last summer in a deal worth €25 million (£21 million). The midfielder is contracted to Benfica until 2028 and has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United.