While a previous Liverpool transfer strategy appears to have failed, Sadio Mané may be the latest player to move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
The past two weeks have been extremely busy for Liverpool, which may have caused them to rethink their summer transfer strategy.
The Reds made their return to action this week in their first preseason friendly, and they got off to a good start against Karlsruher, winning 4-2, but the victory was somewhat overshadowed by things that happened off the field.
Just as the game kicked off in Germany, it emerged that a deal had been agreed for Jordan Henderson to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq (as per the ECHO). Now that Steven Gerrard appears to be returning to Liverpool, the captain of the Reds won’t be the only one moving to the Gulf state.
The Athletic reports that Fabinho also appears to be close to joining Al-Ittihad. This will leave Liverpool with a midfield gap that needs to be filled during the upcoming transfer window.
This summer’s top news stories revolve around the ongoing exodus of players to Saudi Arabia, which includes some former Reds stars and places Liverpool squarely in the foreground.
Sadio Mané ‘agrees to join Cristiano Ronaldo’.
Away from Liverpool’s own transfer dealings, Sadio Mané’s future will no doubt be of interest to supporters this summer. The former Anfield favorite’s future at Bayern Munich still looks to be very much up in the air following what was a disappointing first season in Germany.
Of course, wherever a 30-something-year-old’s future is in doubt, you can guarantee a link to Saudi Arabia isn’t far behind. Mané is no different, and French outlet L’Equipe is claiming the Senegal international has ‘agreed in principal’ to join Al-Nassr, approving what would be a link-up with former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Elsewhere, 90MIN has suggested Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG could all be interested in Lyon starlet Bradley Barcola, with Man City eyeing him up as a possible replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
Jürgen Klopp was wrong about ‘great’ Liverpool transfer plan.
Liverpool again finds itself looking for midfield reinforcements as Henderson and Fabinho look to be on their way. Their expected departures have given the transfer landscape a new outlook, and perhaps led to Michael Edwards’ worst fears being realized.
A little over two years ago, coming off the back of a disappointing title defense wrecked by injuries, Liverpool handed out seven contract extensions to first-team players, including Fabinho and Henderson.
The news was celebrated at the time by Jürgen Klopp, but as Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy has suggested, fears were being raised behind the scenes of the squad ‘veering away from the right football age’, something which has perhaps now been proven.
More news…….
Liverpool has the ideal lure to divert Man City’s record-breaking £85 million deal.
As Jurgen Klopp continues to rebuild, Liverpool is looking for a defender this summer.
Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has the tools at his disposal to thwart an attempted coup by Manchester City this summer by halting a record-breaking £85 million transfer that has been in the works for several weeks.
The Reds are anticipated to make preliminary approaches during the summer transfer window to line up a defender with the intimidating intent of ultimately replacing club legend Virgil van Dijk.
Josko Gvardiol, a Croatian player who plays for RB Leipzig and is regarded as one of the best up-and-coming defenders on the planet, has consistently been at the forefront of every discussion.
The young player made a big impression at the World Cup in Qatar last year, and his Champions League performances have won him fans across Europe.
Leipzig is reportedly holding out for the full £85 million of Gvardiol’s release clause to be paid in one lump sum.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, and his team have been in negotiations with Leipzig in recent weeks.
A defender would be transferred for a record-breaking sum, surpassing the £80 million Manchester United paid Leicester City for Harry Maguire.
Christian Falk, a German football expert, reports via Caughtoffside that a standoff has developed between Leipzig and City as the former is trying to find a suitable replacement while the latter is reportedly negotiating the price in an effort to get better terms.
As a result, there has been an unnerving silence that may well give Liverpool the opportunity to score at the perfect time, mainly because Klopp has Joe Gomez as a secret weapon.
Gomez, who recently turned 26 years old, has spent the last few seasons alternating between playing regularly for the Reds’ first team and sitting on the substitutes’ bench for extended periods of time.
Although the demands of Premier League football have resulted in several injuries, which have hampered the progress of the England international, Klopp was extremely complimentary of his excellent communication with Van Dijk.
Gomez, who Leipzig scouts have previously observed, may well find a move to the Bundesliga highly advantageous with an eye toward the upcoming European Championships.
By providing Leipzig with a ready-made replacement for the Croatian and a transfer fee to help defray the cost, Liverpool’s offer would go some way toward hijacking control of the Gvardiol situation.
Liverpool has renewed hope that the young player will eventually make it to Anfield thanks to comments made by Gvardiol several years ago during an interview with RTLDanas.
Gvardiol was asked which team he would most like to play for when at the height of his abilities, and he responded, “My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool.
“Ever since I was a little kid, my dad and I have seen a lot of their games. All four seasons were thoroughly covered. It is a club that has stayed in my heart. “.
When discussing potential transfers and leaving Leipzig, Gvardiol has, however, always spoken in a respectful manner.
It is believed that the German powerhouses will not release the defender this summer unless his release clause is honored and paid in full.
In the summer of 2024, Leipzig are predicted to be more open to offers, and at that time, Klopp and Liverpool are likely to lose club stalwart Joel Matip when his current contract expires.
It will be interesting to see if the Reds decide to act this summer and stop City. Nevertheless, everything suggests that the risk is one that is highly worthwhile taking.
