Arne Slot 'identifies Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu as first Liverpool signing' despite huge release clause

Arne Slot has officially been confirmed as the new Liverpool manager and his focus will already be on the summer transfer window.

The Reds can be expected to be busy over the next few months, as they look to ensure the Dutchman has a squad ready to go the distance with Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race, and reports suggest Slot has lined up his first signing.

Turkish outlet Fotospor claim that Liverpool are keen on Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who was Feyenoord captain under Slot before his move to Portugal last summer.

However, while Kokcu made the move for a fee in the region of £21m, it’s believed that he now has a release clause of £128m in his contract, which runs through to 2028.

The 23-year-old finished with seven assists and nine goals in Primeira Liga this season, with four of those goals coming in his last seven matches as he finished the campaign in fine form after a shift in position.

Kokcu can play across the midfield, as a No6, No8 or No10, but he hit out at Benfica boss Roger Schmidt in March when complaining that he was not given the freedom to play in his preferred attacking role.

"Schmidt ties me too much to all kinds of defensive tasks,” said Kokcu, who was pushed forward and used as a No10 in the final weeks of the season.

“And that is not positive if you really want to get the most out of my qualities. I am the type of player who finds solutions in the area, who thinks very quickly and makes the team progress.

"Even this season, all my statistics underline that. I can do much more for Benfica and that may be where part of my frustration lies. I was irritated and disappointed with that.”