Arne Slot has spoken with Liverpool owners FSG – led by their new football chief Michael Edwards.
It was confirmed on Monday that Slot had emerged as one of their standout candidates during the process through the club’s detailed analytic measures.
Now sources have reported that following talks with Slot – Liverpool have decided to press ahead and discuss terms with the Dutch giants. We understand that Slot’s enthusiasm was a standout but also his knowledge and detailed plans for the direction he would like the club to go.
TBR is told that Feyenoord want €10million to release Slot from his contract that he signed last year – having snubbed the advances of Chelsea and Leeds. There is no clause in his deal.
As it stands Liverpool have offered around €9million – but talks are continuing and sources in Holland have told TBR that they believe a deal is on the verge of being agreed.
Liverpool insist that they are also still talking with other candidates – but clear Slot is firm favourite at this point.
TBR revealed on Wednesday that Thomas Tuchel’s agents have also contacted Liverpool and Manchester United over a switch back to England.
The German boss is keen to jump straight back into work, preferably in the Premier League, when his time at Bayern comes to an end this summer.
However, Tuchel isn’t believed to be under consideration at Liverpool, with Slot emerging as the favourite to replace Klopp.
Slot’s impressive Feyenoord stats
The Dutchman has impressed in the Eredivisie over the past few seasons. Slot delivered a league title at Feyenoord last time out, the club’s first since 2017.
Feyenoord currently sit second in the Eredivisie, nine points behind league leaders PSV with four games left to play.
Slot did pick up the Dutch Cup on Sunday though as the Rotterdam club beat NEC Nijmegen 1-0 after being reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute.
Based on the statistics, Slot’s style of play has some similarities with that of Klopp’s.
According to Squawka, since Slot took charge of Feyenoord in July 2021, only his side have regained possession in the final third more times (722) than Klopp’s Liverpool (706).
Both sides have also picked up 62 points from losing positions during this period.
