Arne Slot has denied rumours suggesting that Liverpool made a late attempt to hijack Brighton's deal for Feyenoord star Mats Wieffer.

The midfielder has now joined the Seagulls on a five-year deal for a fee of PS25m, excluding bonuses, but it was reported late last week that the Reds had failed with an 11th-hour bid to tempt the midfielder away from Brighton's clutches.

Slot has now spoken out about Wieffer's Brighton move, wishing him well on his record-breaking switch to the south coast, but insisting that Liverpool were never in for his signature.

"I think it's especially great for him, when you see where he comes from," Slot told ViaPlay.

"That he can make the step to the Premier League two years after he came from Excelsior. That's great for him.

"It's fantastic for him, but also for Feyenoord, because it's the biggest transfer in the club's history.

"I have not spoken to Mats. I think it will be very nice to meet him, but I hope he does not want to prove too much to his old coach."

VITEZSLAV JAROS EARNS FIRST-TEAM PROMOTION Liverpool have come to a decision on how to replace departing goalkeeper Adrian this summer, with Vitezslav Jaros set to earn a first-team promotion.

Adrian was out of contract this summer but did receive a new proposal from Liverpool to continue his time at Anfield, despite the fact that he didn't play a single minute last term.

However, the 37-year-old opted against putting pen to paper with Liverpool and is set to join boyhood club Real Betis for the final chapter of his career.

Vitezslav Jaros

According to The Athletic's James Pearce, Liverpool will replace Adrian with young 22-year-old stopper Vitezslav Jaros, who has been at the club since 2017.

Pearce wrote: "With Adrian moving on, Liverpool intend to promote young goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros to Arne Slot's squad."

While yet to make his Liverpool debut, Jaros enjoyed an incredibly fruitful loan spell at Austrian side Sturm Graz last season, helping the club win a league and cup double.

LIVERPOOL REJECT BID FOR NAT PHILLIPS Liverpool's long-serving defender Nat Phillips is being eyed by Turkish side Trabzonspor but an initial PS4m bid has been rejected.

Nat Phillips Liverpool

Phillips, who spent the latter half of last season on loan with Cardiff City, has been attracting interest from several clubs at home and abroad.

In a fresh update on Sunday morning, Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu posted on X: "The first offer made by Trabzonspor was rejected. Liverpool wanted PS5m for Nathaniel Phillips."

However, James Pearce of The Athletic has since claimed that the Reds actually want PS8m for Phillips' services and are in no rush to let him go.

Regardless, it looks almost certain that Phillips will finally earn a permanent move away from Liverpool this summer.

SEPP VAN DEN BERG ASKING PRICE PUTS OFF PSV EINDHOVEN Liverpool will have to lower their price for wantaway defender Sepp van den Berg if he is to get a move to PSV this summer.

Foto : Jubel nach dem Schlusspfiff bei Sepp van den Berg / Mainz Fussball 1. Bundesliga am Sa 18.05.2024 VfL Wolfsburg - Mainz 1 - 3 *** Photo Cheering after the final whistle at Sepp van den Berg Mainz Football 1 Bundesliga on Sat 18 05 2024 VfL Wolfsburg Mainz 1 3

That's according to Eindhovens Dagblad, which reveals that Liverpool's current valuation of EUR20 million is too steep for the Dutch champions.

However, the paper goes on to report that if the Reds reduced the fee to around EUR15m then a deal could be possible.

"PSV will also try to complete the transfer of Sepp van den Berg quickly," the report says.

"He would like to come to Eindhoven and that is not the stumbling block now. Van den Berg and PSV will reach an agreement, but Liverpool wants an enormous price."