Johan Bakayoko set for Liverpool audition after Arne Slot 'said yes' to transfer

Liverpool transfer target Johan Bakayoko will have an opportunity to impress today when Belgium kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia.

Bakayoko starred for PSV Eindhoven as they won the Eredivisie last season, with the winger scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 33 league games as his side pipped Arne Slot's Feyenoord to the title by seven points.

It's claimed in Belgium that Bakayoko is one of Liverpool's top targets this summer and new manager Slot has already given his seal of approval. The 21-year-old is said to be viewed as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, but the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also interested in his services.

When quizzed about his future earlier this month, Bakayoko cryptically told Dutch newspaper Het Belang van Limburg: "The only thing I can say is that next year I will be on a football pitch somewhere."

Bakayoko had an opportunity to move to the Premier League last summer in fact, with the player revealing Burnley made an approach for him. But, despite the best efforts of his compatriot Vincent Kompany, Bakayoko opted to remain at PSV.

"I received a call from Kompany last year, indeed," Bakayoko explained. "He then explained his vision. That was nice. I clarified my view. It was a good conversation, but that was last summer."

Brentford also made an approach Bakayoko last summer, but the player was solely focused on "preparing for the Euros" and did not want to make the move to England.

Johan Bakayoko and Arne Slot

"I didn't talk about leaving so I didn't understand why people were saying: 'Oh, why didn’t he move?'.

"There was no option of leaving. But that's part of football. People give their opinion. I see myself playing everywhere, anywhere. I follow the Premier League — I have friends there.

"I also have friends that play in Germany, so I watch a lot of games when they play. But this season I haven't even talked about leaving. I was just thinking about preparing for the Euros, just trying my best to be fit."

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