Liverpool targeting Benfica midfielder and Hull wants to loan another Reds youngster

It's Wednesday morning which means it's time to catch up on various transfer news and rumors around Liverpool Football Club. The summer rumor mayhem is soon to be upon us so things should only amplify from here.

I've scoured the reports and rumors to see which are some of the most credible and worth knowing. Let's jump right in.

Benfica midfielder Orkun Kökçü is on Liverpool's radar

The Turkish midfielder has reportedly been labeled by the incoming Arne Slot as a player the Reds should look long and hard at.

Kökçü was the Captain at Feyenoord under Slot before he moved to Portugal. At 23-years old, that is quite the accomplishment and says a lot about him as a leader and a player. He recorded 7 goals and 11 assists this past season for Benfica so the talent is still there.

The report comes from Turkish outlet Fotospor and also mentions a huge £128m release clause which will most definitely not be triggered by Liverpool.

However, the connection with Slot is meaningful and at a more reasonable cost, perhaps this could happen. However, a midfielder is not exactly high on the list of needs at the moment.

Hull City want to secure James McConnell on loan for the 2024/25 season

Following the hugely impressive loan stints for both Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho with the Tigers in 2023-24, this move seams very feasible.

Morton and Carvalho were integral parts in the Hull lineup and will be hoping for a long look back at Anfield. That does leave a gap in the defensive midfield role for Hull, a spot that could be set for McConnell.

The Liverpool midfield room right now is going to be quite full and there might not be room for McConnell to build on his nine appearances this season.

A loan move here would work nicely for everyone involved.

PSV winger Johan Bakayoko could be lined up as heir to Salah

The young and electric Bakayoko is on the radar for multiple big clubs this summer and Liverpool is one of them.

With Salah all but confirming he is returning for next season, Bakayoko would make an ideal understudy to the Egyptian. The 21-year old Belgian was a key piece in PSV's league winning side that beat Slot's Feyenoord to the crown this season.

Bakayoko had 12 goals and 9 assist in just the Eredivisie, so he has shown he can impact a game beyond fancy dribbling or running by a defender.

He could potentially be acquired for less than £45m which would provide Liverpool the opportunity to buy-low and develop him into a star as is their preferred method.

This seems to have some legs to it, so this is one to follow and could take a bit longer to get sorted.