Five Liverpool targets available for free this summer, including Van Dijk and Salah replacements

Five Liverpool targets available for free this summer, including Van Dijk and Salah replacements

The Reds will potentially need to make a lot of new signings in the summer transfer window and the free agent market could save them a lot of money.

We’ve taken a look at five players who have been linked with Liverpool and have also entered the final four months of their contracts.

Leroy Sane

Should Salah depart Anfield at the end of the 2024/25 season, Liverpool will need to sign a winger who can help fill the void left by the Egypt international.

The Reds hold a long-standing interest in Sane and have reportedly been offered the chance to sign the 29-year-old on a free transfer this summer.

He is about to enter the final three months of his contract at Bayern Munich and is yet to reach an agreement over a new deal with the Bundesliga leaders.

The Germany international boasts similar playing traits to Salah as they are both left-footed wingers and like to cut inside from the right flank.

He also has a wealth of experience in the Premier League, having spent four years at Manchester City between 2016 and 2020.

The winger registered 39 goals and 43 assists in 135 appearances for City, helping the club win two league titles, an FA Cup and three League Cups.

“I have a fondness for the [Premier] League, I still watch certain games on TV,” he said when asked about a return to England. “But the appeal for me lies in the club where I can show my best performance, develop and win titles.”

Jonathan David

Liverpool will be in the market for a new striker to lead their attack in the 2025/26 season as they look to upgrade upon Darwin Nunez.

The Reds have been linked with Alexander Isak but might not be able to afford the Newcastle United striker, who is valued at around £120million (€144m / $151m).

A number of cheaper alternative options are also being considered and they have been credited with an interest in Lille’s Jonathan David.

The Canada international has netted 23 goals across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, with nine of those coming in the Champions League.

His contract with the Ligue 1 side will expire at the end of the season, and he looks set to join one of Europe’s top clubs on a free transfer.

“Obviously, with this summer going on, I am not sure if I am staying or going,” he said. “But if I do end up going, I have to push myself at the very highest level.

“When you play for a big club, your position [in the team] is never guaranteed and you need to fight. I am never guaranteed anywhere I go to start every game and play every game, I have to perform. I am willing to fight.

“I know it’s an important year. It is a big decision. I will make a wise decision.”

Angel Gomes

A Manchester United academy graduate, Gomes made just four Premier League appearances for the club and left Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.

The midfielder signed a five-year contract at Lille and spent a season on loan at Portuguese side Boavista before returning to the French side.

He’s since established himself as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1, demonstrating his versatility as both an attacking playmaker and a deep-lying No.6.

The 24-year-old finished the 2023/24 season as the joint-top assist provider in Ligue 1 alongside Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romain Del Castillo.

He looks set to follow Jonathan David out of the exit door in the summer but recently rejected a £100,000-per-week offer from West Ham United.

“I’m aware of clubs enquiring about my situation, but I’m now completely focused on Lille,” he said. “I want to finish the season in the best way possible, and then we will see what happens, I’m focused on the present and not on negotiations.”

TEAMtalk understands that Liverpool scouts have watched the England international and his versatility is highly attractive to their decision-makers.