Liverpool can repeat old transfer trick to seal £80m deals this summer

Liverpool have become experts in the market over the years.

Jeremie Frimpong has a reported £30m release clause

Liverpool can utilise their historic use of release clauses to complete their transfer business this summer. Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have all been successfully signed via the Reds activating the release clause in their contracts with their previous clubs.

Konate was the first of the trio to arrive in May 2021 when Liverpool met RB Leipzig's £36million asking price. Two years later, it took just £35m to automatically secure Mac Allister from Brighton, while a few weeks later, £60m saw Szoboszlai follow Konate's path from Leipzig. This isn't a new strategy for Liverpool, who previously secured Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita using the same method.

Martin Zubimendi could have followed suit last summer, but chose to stay at Real Sociedad, with Arsenal now tipped to be his next stop.

Under former sporting director Michael Edwards, who is now Fenway Sports Group's CEO of Football, Liverpool became adept at not only capitalising on release clauses but also uncovering them. For obvious reasons, these aren't always easy to find.

Despite the emphasis on data-driven transfers, which have played a significant role in Liverpool's success under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, it's the relationships that facilitate these moves that are crucial.

With Edwards back at FSG, the Reds - who subsequently appointed Edwards' long-time colleague Richard Hughes as sporting director - are once again well-placed to use their knowledge base to identify attainable players with attractive release clauses and act swiftly before others can swoop in.

Mac Allister is a prime example of this strategy, having been snapped up for a relatively low fee, catching several of Liverpool's rivals off guard and avoiding a potentially messy bidding war. Liverpool are currently eyeing a number of players who have release clauses in their contracts.

Top of the list is Jeremie Frimpong, who could be lured away from Bayer Leverkusen if Liverpool decide to bring in a new right-back. The former Manchester City and Celtic player, who has been playing both as a full-back and wing-back this season and is believed to be open to a move to Anfield, could be secured for around £30m.

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for 20 year old Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who is also on the radar of Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid. The Spanish international is believed to have a £50m release clause.

If Liverpool decide to pursue either deal, it will hinge on the club's persuasive abilities and the allure of working with Slot and the Premier League champions. As Konate, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai can attest, a transfer to Anfield could be a cause for celebration.