Liverpool close in on Arne Slot as their next manager with talks developing quickly to take over from Jurgen Klopp - and deal for Dutchman could even be concluded by THIS WEEKEND

Liverpool are closing in on Arne Slot as they work on a deal with Feyenoord to make him their next manager.

Anfield officials contacted the Dutch champions on Wednesday with a first offer of compensation for the 49-year-old, who does not have a release clause in his contract.

It is expected a fee of more than £10million will be required to land Slot, who will look to bring a number of his staff with him including assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

The situation is developing quickly and talks to bring Slot to Anfield could even be concluded before the weekend. 

Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Slot had emerged as Liverpool’s preferred candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who has four games left at the club.

Slot, who was considered by both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, has found immense success since joining the Dutch side in 2021 and has become one of the most progressive coaches in European football.

He recently guided his side Feyenoord to victory in the KNVB Cup; the second trophy he has won in charge of the Rotterdam giants, having made them domestic champions 12 months ago. 

His accolades at the Dutch side have made him an ideal candidate to succeed Klopp at Anfield and the Reds have now stepped up their pursuit of the 45-year-old.

It should also be noted that Slot’s planned press conference to preview Feyenoord’s game against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night has been cancelled. No official reason was given.  

Slot is likely to bring his right-hand man Sipke Hulshoff to his next club, with Liverpool needing a mass rebuild in the coaching department after a number of high-profile members of Klopp’s trusted team set to follow him out of the exit door. 

Klopp announced in late January he would leave the club after nearly nine years at the helm and he now has just five matches remaining on Merseyside, including Wednesday's trip across Stanley Park to Everton and Goodison Park. 

Initial reports suggested that the Reds were considering a move for Xabi Alonso, who has done such outstanding work with Bayer Leverkusen.

But Alonso wanted to stay in Germany and that led to Ruben Amorim assuming bookmakers favouritism. 

The Portuguese, who has £12million release clause in his contract, spoke recently about not being able to give Sporting Lisbon any guarantees on his future.

Liverpool had given him firm consideration, as they have done with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, but they are now prepared to move in a different direction from Amorim, who is a target for West Ham United, as Mail Sport reported on Monday.