Liverpool may already have to consider alternative to $38m ace amid transfer 'fire sale' threat

Liverpool may be bidding farewell to Jürgen Klopp this weekend but focus is already shifting to next season and the summer transfer window. But the Reds may have to move on from one reported target already.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool has made signing a wide attacker a priority at the end of the season. Incoming boss Arne Slot is known to place huge importance on his wingers, and often sets his teams up to isolate them one-on-one against defenders.

As things stand, Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz are the only true out-and-out wingers in the Liverpool squad yet both have uncertain futures at Anfield.

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Salah is out of contract in a year's time and is likely to be targeted by Saudi Pro League clubs again this summer. Díaz meanwhile has emerged as a reported target for Barcelona, with Liverpool likely to demand around $95m (£75m/€87m) for the Colombian.

One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield is Leeds ace Crysencio Summerville, who was recently crowned Player of the Year in the Championship. His goals helped Leeds to third in the table and secured a place in the play-offs.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Liverpool has been watching the 22-year-old, while Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa are also keen. And Leeds' chances of keeping hold of the Dutchman ultimately rest on whether it is promoted back to the Premier League.

It is claimed that failure to secure a return to the top flight would have huge financial implications and leave Leeds in danger of breaching spending rules. A staggering $127m (£100m/€117m) would reportedly need to be raised through a 'fire sale' of players and Summerville is seen as the prized asset, valued at $38m (£30m/€35m).

He showed exactly why those clubs are keen on his services on Thursday night as Leeds secured a place at Wembley for the play-off final. Summerville scored his 21st goal of the season as Leeds swept Norwich aside 4-0 at Elland Road and Daniel Farke's men will now be favorites to beat Southampton or West Brom for a place in the Premier League.

Promotion would ease those financial concerns and while Summerville could ultimately seek a move away, Leeds would be able to demand a higher fee for the winger. And you would not expect Liverpool to pay much more than his current valuation.

While Summerville has ripped up the Championship, he often struggled for consistency in the top-flight last season as Leeds was relegated. He scored just four goals in 28 appearances, although one of those did come in a surprise win at Anfield.

Liverpool will likely look to appease Slot's apparent 'obsession' with wingers with at least one addition but will be after someone ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League and Champions League. It is unclear if Summerville is ready to make that step up at this stage and alternatives would be considered.

That said, he would be a welcome addition as a squad player — at a reasonable price — should Slot look to freshen up his front line. There will definitely be a Liverpool eye cast over what happens at Wembley next weekend.