Yahoo Sports Liverpool set to miss out as Premier League rivals open talks with midfielder Arne Slot said can be 'best in the world'
Brighton are locked in talks to sign Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer - a player who has been on Liverpool’s radar for at least a year.
That’s according to a new report in HITC, which claims the Seagulls are leading the chase for the Dutch international ahead of Premier League rivals Brentford, Fulham and Aston Villa, as well as the Reds.
Also named as suitors are Napoli, AC Milan, Atalanta and Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille.
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It’s been reported that Wieffer can leave Feyenoord for £22 million, the price quoted when Barcelona’s interest emerged earlier in the year, but Dutch media states that Brighton’s opening offer has fallen short.
For their part, Barca’s interest appears to have cooled for now.
Wieffer, 24, became a mainstay of Arne Slot’s Feyenoord regime after signing from Excelsior in 2022.
READ MORE: David Hancko reveals Arne Slot talks
The midfielder played 79 times for Slot, winning the Eredivisie title in 2022/23 and the KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) last season.
He has established himself in The Netherlands’ national team setup as well but is missing Euro 2024 due to an injury which curtailed his club season.
Wieffer renewed his contract last summer and is now tied to De Kuip until 2027, meaning any team putting forward an offer will have no choice but to pay Feyenoord’s asking price.
Liverpool’s interest predates Arne Slot’s appointment as new head coach and it was reported last summer that the Reds had contacted the Rotterdam side over deals for both Wieffer and defender David Hancko.
Arne Slot thinks Wieffer can be world's best
Last year in an interview with Voetbal International, Slot said he regarded Wieffer’s development as ‘mega’, revealing that he believed the 6' 2 midfielder could become the best player in the world.
"Mats Wieffer has made a huge leap in terms of development, I can really enjoy that,” he said.
”So big that if he does that again, he will become the best player in the world. That is of course unrealistic, for any footballer. But Mats can become even better.”
Liverpool are yet to make a signing this summer with outgoing so far dominating the agenda. The club could opt to add a new senior midfield option with Thiago Alcantara leaving on a free transfer with France international Adrien Rabiot among the players linked.
Whether they decide to go back in for Wieffer remains to be seen.
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