Liverpool have begun talks with Feyenoord to negotiate a deal that would see Arne Slott replace Jurgen Klopp as manager at Anfield, sources told ESPN.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that the 45-year-old Slott has been linked to Liverpool after Xabi Alonso decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League clubs' interest in Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim waned. It has been reported that he has been floated as a candidate.
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However, Liverpool are aware of rival interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the slot and have made contact with Feyenoord in a bid to win the race for the former AZ Alkmaar manager.
Slott rejected approaches from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last year – Chelsea also had an interest in him – and instead joined the Rotterdam team who led the club to the Eredivisie title in 2022-23. He chose to sign a new three-year contract.
As a result of Slott staying at Feyenoord until 2026, Liverpool will have to pay £9 million (approximately $11.2 million) in compensation to terminate his contract.
Liverpool's search for a new manager is being led by Michael Edwards, but Klopp, who returned to the club last month as head of football for Liverpool's American owners Fenway Sports Group, will be appointed as sporting director. He was hired in 2015 when he was working as a director.
Manager Klopp announced in January that he would step down at the end of this season.
Liverpool face Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday, needing a win against their Merseyside rivals to close the three-point gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who beat Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday. He jumped into first place.