Tag: David Ornstein

  • “£33m Leverkusen Star’s Agent Negotiating with Liverpool Over Deal”

    “£33m Leverkusen Star’s Agent Negotiating with Liverpool Over Deal”

    David Ornstein

    Liverpool are already making plans for a future without Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad.

    To clarify, the Merseysiders are still eager to retain their No. 66, if possible, despite significant interest from Spanish champions Real Madrid.

    With this in mind, David Ornstein reported for The Athletic on Sunday that the Premier League title contenders have already made an offer to their vice-captain. The opening offer made to top scorer Mo Salah ensures that the Reds have secured agreements with key figures (including Virgil van Dijk) ahead of the winter transfer window.

    If Liverpool fails to secure contract extensions before the January 1 deadline, foreign clubs will be free to discuss pre-contract agreements in the new year.

    The pressure is mounting on sporting director Richard Hughes and the club’s players with expiring contracts.

    True: Liverpool remain interested in Jeremie Frimpong

    Jeremie Frimpong

    It is now understood that Liverpool has taken their interest in Jeremie Frimpong further by directly contacting the player’s agent, Dirk Hebel.

    “Liverpool’s interest in Jeremie Frimpong has been confirmed again,” shared Christian Falk in his exclusive Fact Files column with CaughtOffside.

    “I heard that his agent, Dirk Hebel, was invited by Liverpool for the match against Bayer Leverkusen. He was in the director’s box. So, you see the club and the player’s entourage are talking.”

    How confident Arne Slot’s side is about Alexander-Arnold signing fresh terms at Anfield remains to be seen. The atmosphere around the club suggests that decision-makers are leaning toward optimism for now. However, transfers in football can shift quickly, so it’s possible that new developments in this contract saga could emerge.

    That said, it’s important to note that Liverpool’s interest in the Leverkusen fullback does not necessarily mean Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave.

    How much does Frimpong cost?

    In a hypothetical scenario where the 26-year-old right-back departs the Merseyside club this summer, a £33m fee to bring in his potential replacement, Frimpong, would be considered a bargain.

    “Frimpong has a release clause valued at €40m [£33m], and he’s also Dutch, like their new head coach, Arne Slot. So, they’re working on this deal as well,” the Bundesliga insider added.

    The 24-year-old continues to shine as one of the most promising talents in world football. He has carried over his impressive 2023/24 form (26 goal contributions in 47 games) into the current season, with nine goal contributions in 22 games.

    In fact, if Liverpool were to sign Frimpong for £33m, they would likely view it as one of the best deals of the summer transfer window.

  • About Mo Salah’s future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    About Mo Salah’s future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    About Mo Salah's future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    At this point, Mohamed Salah might be considering staying at Liverpool past the end of the current campaign.

    Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia showed a lot of interest in Salah throughout the summer, and Liverpool turned down a huge offer for their number eleven.

    Since then, it’s been widely believed that the Saudis will make Mo a second offer in January or early next year. Many Reds supporters may have already come to terms with the possibility that this is Salah’s final season at Anfield.

    However, journalist David Ornstein now suggests that could not be the case after all. In a Q&A session with The Athletic, Ornstein was questioned whether the future of the Egyptian superstar had received “any noise.” Liverpool supporters will find encouragement in his response.

    The journalist answered, “No, other than I don’t think it’s set in stone he goes.”

    “I’ve even heard some comments that he would want to stay and carry on competing in Europe at the top level. Of course, it’s a big decision for the player and the team.

    Liverpool gave Salah motivation.

    About Mo Salah's future at Liverpool, David Ornstein discusses what he has been hearing thus far.

    The Saudi interest that surfaced during the summer, which was naturally turned down, was in some respects a good thing.

    It helped Liverpool fans prepare for the possibility that, in a year, their Egyptian King may actually leave the team. That has been the general sentiment among supporters.

    However, given that the Saudis frequently perform for audiences of fewer than 1,000, maybe the situation has changed.

    Nobody knew for sure how the Pro League initiative would turn out back in the summer. Many well-known players were moving to the Middle East, raising hopes that the league would soon be on par with its European rivals.

    That may still be the case in the future, but it hasn’t materialised as of yet. It appears more and more like it will follow in the unfortunate footsteps of the Chinese Super League with each passing week. Is anyone really bothered outside of the transfer window?

    You can see why Mo might have been tempted by an offer a year ago. Now, though, there ought to be a legitimate doubt. It will appear as though he is conceding that his career is failing by moving from the Premier League to the Pro League.

    Salah might still be content to take that step, but we believe his fierce competitiveness might be about to turn the tide. He is thirty-one years old.

    Hopefully, Liverpool’s return to form and a few trophies this season will satiate his desire and convince him to stay. It seems as though things are about to change. Mo may finally have his “Wolf of Wall Street” moment.

    More news…….

    Caoimhin Kelleher expressed his happiness following Jurgen Klopp’s decision.

    Caoimhin Kelleher is thrilled that Jurgen Klopp made a choice for Liverpool this season. At Anfield, the goalie is still regarded as backup.

    Caoimhin Kelleher is thrilled that Jurgen Klopp made a choice for Liverpool this season. At Anfield, the goalie is still regarded as backup.

    In 2022, Caoimhin Kelleher truly became well-known. He appeared like he would continue to improve after shining in the Carabao Cup final as Liverpool won the cup.

    This followed multiple Premier League and Champions League first-team outings. Up until the previous season, everything appeared fine.

    Kelleher made just three appearances during the 2022–2023 season. That was it—one in the Premier League and two in the Carabao Cup. 301 football minutes.

    For the Irishman, that may be considered something of a disaster. Although he will turn 25 later this month, he is no longer a particularly young athlete, and the lack of football has caused his stock to fall.

    Kelleher has benefited greatly by Liverpool’s increased usage of him this season; in fact, he is probably the key reason for their participation in the Europa League. The goalie has actually played in and appeared in more games already this season than he did the entire previous one.

    It should come as no surprise that Kelleher is overjoyed that Jurgen Klopp has started him in games this year. That’s exactly what the player discussed in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com.

    “I’m obviously very happy that the manager has trusted me to start the games in this competition and also getting the League Cup games so far as well,” he stated. It has benefited me and has provided me a significant amount of playing time.

    Thus, Kelleher is gradually attempting to restore that reputation, and this season, she will have the opportunity to do so. It’s unknown exactly what his long-term plans are; he might like to move on the next year.

    For the time being, though, he is Liverpool’s competent Europa League custodian and should be able to help the team win further cups

  • Dominik Szoboszlai’s former coach asserts that the Liverpool target is “as talented as Erling Haaland.”

    Dominik Szoboszlai’s former coach asserts that the Liverpool target is “as talented as Erling Haaland.”

    Inter Milan chief to discuss Andre Onana transfer with Man Utd in next 48 hours
    Liverpool are in talks to sign Dominik Szoboszlai, who is considered “as talented as Erling Haaland”.

    Athletic’s David Ornstein said Liverpool met with representatives for Szoboszlai this week to discuss a possible summer transfer.

    According to the publication, the midfielder has a €70million escape clause in his contract with RB Leipzig.

    While Liverpool have already started exploring the possibility of signing the attacking midfielder, there is “acceptance within the club” that it will be “very difficult to strike a deal”.

    A possible deal would become even more complicated if the 22-year-old’s release clause expires, which Sky Germany claims on June 30 (Friday).

    Szoboszlai has attracted Premier League interest after an impressive season at Leipzig, which he joined from Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.

    The Hungary international scored ten goals and provided 13 assists in 46 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season.

    Szoboszlai vs. Haaland

    Dominik Szoboszlai
    Former Leipzig and Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch has insisted Szoboszlai is just as talented as Haaland – a player who scored 52 goals in all competitions last season.

    Speaking to the Bundesliga website three weeks ago, Marsch, who also coached Haaland at Salzburg, said: “As far as talent goes, there aren’t many top players who can play at his position.”

    “Some are strong, some are technical, some are tactical and some are good at defending or running a lot. “However, Dominik is special because he combines all these skills. Dominik is just as talented as Erling Haaland.

    Meanwhile, Leipzig coach Marco Rose said in January: “Now we see the real Szoboszlai.”
    “He’s an incredibly ambitious player who wants to win. His shooting is exceptional, especially from distance. I hope he can continue like this.”

    More news…..

    Call from Fernando Torres to Liverpool secure $17.5 million transfer

    Call from Fernando Torres to Liverpool secure $17.5 million transfer
    A phone call from Fernando Torres helped convince ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson to join the club in 2011 instead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

    Johnson moved to Anfield in 2009 after a three-year spell at Portsmouth where he won an FA Cup and played European football.

    After an excellent spell at Fratton Park following his departure from Chelsea, the defender has established himself in the English squad and as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

    His move to Liverpool saw him win the League Cup in 2012, and he was a regular in the team that finished runners-up in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers in 2013/14.

    He made exactly 200 appearances in all competitions as a Reds player before being released in 2015, before spending the last three seasons of his career at Stoke. Johnson has since openly explained what led to his move to Liverpool, while rejecting bids from Manchester City and Chelsea, who wanted to re-sign him.

    Fernando Torres phonecall helped Liverpool secure £17.5m transfer

    One of the Reds’ key players at the time was Fernando Torres, the Spaniard signed from Atlético Madrid in 2007.
    In his first two seasons with the club, he scored 38 Premier League goals. At this point, there were still 18 months to go before his ill-fated £50million move to Chelsea.

    And Johnson explained in a 2021 interview how the Liverpool striker, along with star teammates Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, played a key role in his decision to move to Anfield despite Liverpool’s inability to continuously compete for the Premier League to fight for titles in the seasons before his arrival.

    He told the Liverpool Echo: “Obviously when a club like Liverpool comes knocking you immediately have an eye and an interest.”

    “But what a momentum it was, we played for England that summer just before I signed and I had a good chat with Stevie. And then I also spoke to Torres and Alonso before signing.

    “I just thought they were some of the best players in the world. They don’t have to call me, but they called me to tell me how much they wanted me to participate.”
    “I immediately felt like I knew her and felt super welcomed before I signed and everything went smoothly.”