As Liverpool kicked off their preseason tour in the United States, transfer rumours continued to swirl.
The Reds beat Real Betis 1-0 in their first friendly match under new manager Arne Slot and are now preparing to face Arsenal in Philadelphia next week.
The Merseysiders have been quiet in the transfer market until now, and it looks like they could be forced to turn to alternative targets for their attack.
It has been reported that Nico Williams and Anthony Gordon, two of their prospective transfer targets, may now be out of reach.
All the latest EPL club news | Team-by-team Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Nico Williams: Three roads that don't lead to Liverpool
Athletic Bilbao's rising star, Nico Williams, has three potential paths for his future, and none seem to lead to Liverpool.
According to reports from Sport, Barcelona have identified the 22-year-old winger as their top target this summer.
With Kylian Mbappe having signed for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on bringing Williams to Paris as a replacement.
The third option sees Williams staying put at Athletic, having recently signed a new contract that keeps him at his boyhood club. This scenario could appeal to Williams, who is deeply rooted in the Basque region.
Liverpool's interest in Williams has centred around uncertainty over the future of Luis Diaz. At the moment, it feels like a deal that is unlikely to happen.
Could Liverpool still sign Anthony Gordon?
Liverpool's interest in Newcastle's Anthony Gordon appears to be waning as the Magpies look to secure the young winger's future.
TeamTalk reports that Newcastle initially offered Gordon to Liverpool in a potential swap deal involving Jarell Quansah. However, the Reds turned down the offer, leaving Newcastle to reconsider their plans.
Now, with Newcastle feeling more at ease in terms of complying with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), they are eager to keep Gordon and are reportedly preparing to offer him a new contract with improved terms once he returns from his post-Euro 2024 break.
Liverpool fans hoping for fresh faces in the squad may be left disappointed as the summer transfer window progresses.
With both Williams and Gordon seemingly out of reach, the Reds might need to explore other options to strengthen their team. As they for their upcoming matches in the U.S., the focus remains on evaluating the current squad under the watchful eye of new manager Slot.