Who is Johan Bakayoko? Arne Slot 'approves' $54m first Liverpool transfer

With Arne Slot now confirmed as Liverpool’s new head coach, thoughts can begin to turn towards the summer. Already, a number of players are being linked with joining him at Anfield.

Slot’s appointment was confirmed by the club yesterday, with the 45-year-old taking over from Jürgen Klopp following his emotional departure on Sunday. Along with new sporting director Richard Hughes, he will now be tasked with guiding Liverpool into a new era.

That will mean having to make some big decisions on his current squad, as well as bringing in some new faces in order to strengthen ahead of his debut campaign. Already, Slot is being linked with a host of names ahead of his official arrival on Merseyside on June 1.

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One of the latest names to be touted for a move to Anfield is PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko. A player Slot will know well from his time in the Eredivisie, Bakayoko is reportedly being tracked by the Reds ahead of the summer.

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool has been keeping its eye on the 21-year-old since March 2023, and he has been approved by chief scout Barry Hunter and Slot himself. Not only that, but the Reds could get him for less than PSV’s $54m (£43m/€50m) valuation.

But who is Bakayoko? We’ve taken a closer look at the player and his career so far.

Early life

Bakayoko was born in Belgium in 2003 to a Rwandan mother and an Ivorian father, making him eligible to play any of those three nations. He chose to represent the country of his birth, and has made appearances at all age groups from the U15 level, bar the U18s.

His youth career saw him start out with Belgian side OH Leuven, before moving on to Club Brugge. From there, he was picked up by Antwerp side Mechelen and Anderlecht, before making the move to the Netherlands to join PSV.

Bakayoko worked his way through the ranks, with his form for the club’s U21s, where he scored 20 goals and added 16 assists in 57 appearances, earned him his shot in the first team.

PSV career

Bakayoko made his senior debut for PSV in a KNVB Cup quarter-final against NAC Breda in February 2022, having been named on the bench in the Eredivisie earlier in the campaign. Since then, he has gone on to become a regular in the first team.

He would make four senior appearances in total during the final months of that season, before going on to make 33 appearances the following campaign, scoring seven goals and adding five assists in the process.

And he would improve further in the 2023/24 season, scoring 14 goals and adding 14 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions, helping PSV to the Eredivisie title in the process as they finished seven points ahead of Slot’s Feyenoord.

International career

Bakayoko has 10 caps for Belgium, having made his international debut against Sweden in March 2023. He marked the occasion with an assist during a 3-0 win.

He has scored one goal for his country, against Estonia in a qualifier for Euro 2024 in June 2023. Belgium’s squad is yet to be announced for this summer’s tournament, although Bakayoko will likely make it to Germany, with Liverpool fans no doubt keeping a close eye on his progress.

Playing style

Bakayoko is a left-footed winger who operates from the right. Sound familiar?

If Liverpool was to sign the 21-year-old, he would provide competition to Mohamed Salah, or even replace the Egyptian if he is to leave Anfield this summer.

Much like Salah, he likes to cut inside and shoot on his favored foot, although he is also capable of whipping in crosses from the right for his fellow teammates. His ability on the ball is perhaps his greatest asset, with Bakayoko’s balance and speed allowing him to dribble and retain possession with ease.

It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool does indeed go in for the Belgian international this summer. He could well become one of Slot’s first signings at Anfield.