Johan Bakayoko ready for Liverpool audition after Arne Slot 'approved' $54m transfer

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will get another glimpse of potential summer transfer target Johan Bakayoko today as Belgium kicks off its Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia.

Of course, Slot has seen Bakayoko play before, having come up against him in the Eredivisie during his time as coach of Feyenoord, but this will be the chance to see how the winger performs for his country on the biggest stage.

Bakayoko is coming off of a very productive season at club level for PSV Eindhoven, with the 21-year-old netting 12 goals and providing nine assists in 33 league games as PSV secured the title ahead of Slot's Feyenoord by seven points.

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According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri last month, Liverpool has been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old since March 2023. Moreover, Bakayoko is claimed to have 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.

The Mirror states that Liverpool see the Belgian as a potential heir to Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian not getting any younger and his contract expiring next summer. Bakayoko has 12 caps for his country, having made his debut in against Sweden in March 2023.

Bakayoko was, however, coy when asked about his future in recent times, telling Dutch newspaper Het Belang van Limburg: "The only thing I can say is that next year I will be on a football pitch somewhere."

Belgium finds itself in group E along with Ukraine, Romania and today's opponents Slovakia. Euro 2024 will present an audition of sorts for Bakayoko. Should he have a good tournament in Germany, then it could entice Liverpool to formalize a bid for the winger and bring him to Anfield this summer.

The player had the chance to move to the Premier League last summer, but rejected the advances of Burnley and then-coach Vincent Kompany. "I received a call from Kompany last year, indeed," Bakayoko explained recently. "He then explained his vision. That was nice. I clarified my view. It was a good conversation, but that was last summer."

Bakayoko started in one of Belgium's pre-tournament friendlies, playing in the 2-0 win against Montenegro.

Liverpool.com says: Bakayoko will be hoping for a good tournament to put himself in the shop window and earn a move to a bigger team, in a bigger league. Liverpool and others will be keeping a close eye on the talent, and if he produces in Germany, he could be playing at Anfield next season.