Liverpool's perfect summer target flirts with transfer again giving Arne Slot hope

Michael Edwards could deliver Arne Slot exactly what he wants this summer. Renewing his association with Liverpool as part of the FSG fold, the transfer expert should sanction a deal for a target who seems to be hinting he is open to a move.

One thing we know about Slot from his previous clubs is that he loves his wingers. Generally, he prefers them in a pretty traditional mold, with blistering pace and the ability to beat a man one-versus-one.

That leaves some question marks over his existing crop. For all his other qualities, Mohamed Salah lacks the explosiveness he once possessed, while someone like Luis Diaz has the skill-set to get past his defender but is yet to show truly consistent end product.

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There are whispers about interest in Diaz from Barcelona and PSG. But even assuming the entire front line stays put, there's a strong case for Edwards to add another option for Slot, preferably someone who has a high ceiling as well as the ability to make an immediate impact.

With Salah, Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and one more, Slot would boast the gold standard of 'two players for each position'. With the expanded Champions League format on its way in, this will be more important than ever, with tough games coming thick and fast.

And there could be no better sixth man than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Still just 23, the Georgian would tick all the typical Edwards boxes, and his profile on the pitch looks perfect for Slot.

Primarily a left-winger, he would allay any uncertainty over the future of Diaz, offering a world-class option in that position. But Kvaratskhelia is also part of a rare breed: asked to list his stronger foot, Transfermarkt simply records 'both'.

Bearing that in mind, there's no particular reason why Slot couldn't train up Kvaratskhelia as the eventual Salah heir. In many ways, his spell at Napoli has been reminiscent of the Egyptian's own stint in Serie A.

Kvaratskhelia has gone off the boil a little this season, but still managed 11 goals and eight assists in a Napoli side that struggled badly. He looks ready-made to explode if dropped into a more functional side, which might explain why his father and agent have both been angling for a move.

And Kvaratskhelia himself might have just given Edwards some encouragement that a transfer could be possible. Speaking to Sky Italy, he refused to rule anything out.

"I'm fine, I'm only focused on the national team," said Kvaratskhelia. "After the European Championships I will decide my future.

“Now I don't think about it, I just want to give everything I have on the pitch to help my national team. I don't think about what they say, I'm 100 per cent focused only on Georgia."

It's certainly not a come and get me plea, at least not compared to what his entourage have been saying. But if Liverpool does plan to strengthen its attack this summer, you'd imagine Kvaratskhelia would be open to the possibility, even if Napoli has other ideas.

Liverpool.com says: Kvaratskhelia really does look to tick all of the boxes for Liverpool. The biggest question mark is availability, but it remains to be seen how much Napoli can dig its heels in, having missed out on European football altogether.

The remarks about his future almost have shades of Sadio Mane's cryptic comments before he ultimately departed for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. If nothing else, the Georgian declined the chance to categorically shut down rumors, and that should be music to the ears of Edwards and his team.