Arne Slot wants Liverpool to sign 23-year-old Turkish midfielder as first transfer at Anfield: Reports

Arne Slot, who was announced as Liverpool's new manager this Monday (May 20), is reportedly keen to reunite with Orkun Kokcu at Anfield in the 2024-25 season.

Kokcu, 23, earned his name under Slot's management at Feyenoord before opting to join Benfica in a potential £26 million switch in 2023. He helped his current team finish second in the Primeira Liga table and win the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira crown this season.

A right-footed playmaker renowned for his fine set-pieces, the Turkey international started 33 of his 43 overall appearances for Benfica this season. He scored seven goals and registered 11 assists for his team.

Now, according to Turkish news outlet Fotospor, Slot has identified his former star Kokcu as his first signing as Liverpool manager. However, the Reds are expected to face competition from Besiktas in the race.

Should Kokcu decide to join Liverpool this summer, he could prove to be a shrewd signing for them. He would offer stellar competition to Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch.

Kokcu, whose Benfica deal is set to expire in June 2028, helped Slot win the 2022-23 Eredivisie title at Feyenoord. He found the back of the net 21 times and laid out 14 assists in 97 games under the Dutchman.

Pundit reveals rumor about Jurgen Klopp's next job after leaving Liverpool this season

Earlier on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp managed his last game as Reds boss and helped the team finish third in the 2023-24 Premier League table. He ended his nine-year-spell with eight trophies and 304 total wins.

After Liverpool's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, England great Gary Lineker commented on Klopp's future while speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast. He said (h/t TBR):

"I will be interested to see what Jurgen Klopp does next. I think he will definitely take some time out because I think he's genuine when he says he has run out of energy. You can see why that [coaching] job is so demanding. There will be a battle for him or they'll be lining up in a year's time. I heard a little rumor that he might end up being president of Borussia Dortmund, which would be amazing."

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer also pitched in and remarked:

"I heard the same, yeah."

During his time at Borussia Dortmund as their boss between 2008 and 2015, Klopp lifted two Bundesliga titles and three other silverwares.