Arne Slot could complete oldest trick in the book as transfer target's wife speaks on move

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and new club sporting director Richard Hughes could use the oldest trick in the transfers handbook by returning to the Dutchman's old club to complete a swoop for a rumored target.

Even prior to the former Feyenoord manager's appointment at Anfield, the Reds had been linked with a move for De Kuip center-back David Hancko, with the star having caught the eye in the Eredivisie. The 26-year-old defender made 34 appearances in Holland's top flight last term, on top of his 31 outings as the club won the title during the previous term.

After a couple of seasons in the Netherlands, it appears that the Slovakia is open to a move in the coming months - with his wife having even admitted so recently. Addressing speculation that the Reds and Paris Saint-Germain were circling for his client earlier this year, Branislav Jasurek of agency FairSport International acknowledged contact with the clubs.

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He said to TN.cz: "As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs (Liverpool and PSG), but also with others who are looking into David's situation The people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold, even in the summer, and maybe better than now. It would have to be one of the big clubs."

The player's wife, the professional tennis star Kristana Pliskova, previously informed Sportovy that her partner is open to a move this summer. She confessed: "It will be dealt with this summer. Probably only after the championship, but I'm not such an expert. I don't know if it's up for grabs, but I think he'd like to move on. Actually, we would both be happy. We'll see what will happen in the end. I'm not complaining, but there are definitely better places. For me, Spain or Italy."

Moreover, the Feyenoord ace has also previously acknowledged that he is a boyhood Reds supporter, having told Slovakian outlet Aktuality: "It all started with the Istanbul Champions League final in 2005, which my parents allowed me to watch until the end,” he told And I didn’t have to go to bed even when extra time was going on."

Whether new head coach asks Liverpool's recruitment team to complete a transfer for his former player remains to be seen. Either way, Slot seemed comfortable with the structure he is entering into in his new post as he confirmed that he would work alongside porting director Hughes when it comes to picking transfer targets.

He said of the set-up: "For me, it is normal because this is the way it is in Europe and in Holland. I don't think there is much of a change between a head coach and a manager, it's just that by being a head coach I can go in fully to the things I would like to do.

"So, work with the team, prepare the team in the best possible way, and me and Richard are going to work together when it comes to transfers but not only the two of us – there is a big backroom staff included in this as well.

Slot added: "I think for me it is the way I have worked always and it for me is the ideal way of working because I can use the most of my time by working with the team and the time that is left will probably be a bit for the family and a bit to talk with Richard about how we can strengthen the team. But we already have a really strong team."