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Tag: Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool has a $38 million path open, as Jürgen Klopp may land the ideal transfer after Dominik Szoboszlai.

Dominik Szoboszlai has completed his transfer to Liverpool, and it appears that his deal and a blow dealt to Khéphren Thuram may have opened the door for the team’s upcoming transfer.

Liverpool just sealed the deal on Dominik Szoboszlai yesterday, but there are already rumblings about what will happen next, as the Reds are still anticipated to be active in the window this summer. Khéphren Thuram is one of the names most frequently associated with the Reds.

Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano asserted last night on Twitter that Thuram is still a possibility for Liverpool. It’s clear that this is a good sign, and Thuram’s situation may now advance more quickly.

With Szoboszlai’s release clause at RB Leipzig set to expire and being activated on its deadline day on June 30 (according to the ECHO), Liverpool’s attention was understandably focused on the Hungarian over the past week or so.

The club’s recruitment team, led by Jörg Schmadtke, can now turn their attention to other matters now that the Szoboszlai transaction is complete. As a result, it appears that more opportunities are emerging to sign Thuram.

The fact that Thuram was competing at the U21 European Championship may have been one of the main reasons Liverpool delayed accelerating its move for the Nice midfielder just yet.

It’s risky business to try to sign a player while he’s competing in a big match. Manu Koné, Thuram’s teammate, brought this up, noting the unfortunate injury the young midfielder sustained, the severity of which is currently unknown.

Thuram’s French team was eliminated from the competition last night after losing to Ukraine 3-1, and as a result, Liverpool may now be free to make a move. According to the Express, a $38 million (£30 million/€35 million) offer is being thrown around now that his future can be decided.

Since Jürgen Klopp appears prepared to arm his midfield with even more weapons in the coming weeks, the club’s focus may turn to Thuram in the coming weeks.

And Thuram seems like the perfect next move for the club. The adaptable midfielder can play a number of positions and has the ability to control the midfield. He possesses the kind of energy that Liverpool is currently looking for and will be able to elevate the team’s midfield.

He is only 22 years old, which makes him still very young, and he perfectly embodies Klopp’s philosophy and FSG’s long-term development plan.

Of course, a lot will depend on Nice’s willingness to reach an agreement with Liverpool. Despite not having the biggest budget at Anfield, the Reds have already spent a lot on two midfielders in Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister.

But at least now there aren’t any roadblocks standing in the club’s way of pursuing a deal. Due to the completion of the more urgent Szoboszlai transfer and the absence of any dangers posed by Thuram suffering a serious injury, Liverpool can now look to sign the French midfielder as their third addition of the summer.

More news…….

Liverpool are the favorites to sign the 19-year-old midfield prodigy this summer.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

The 19-year-old was hugely impressive for Southampton in the Premier League last season and is expected to join a top club this summer.

Lavia is well regarded in the Premier League and a number of clubs have followed him through the season.
However, Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell has now revealed to Empire of the Kop that Liverpool are first choice for the 19-year-old midfielder.

The former Manchester City midfielder is valued at between £40m and £50m and it remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to pay for him. The Reds need a quality defensive midfielder this summer and Lavia could challenge Fabinho for the starting spot next season

The Brazil international midfielder was rather disappointing last season and Liverpool need to step up competition for places.

Lavia could be Fabinho’s replacement or he could even compete with the Brazilian for the starting position. He showed his qualities in the Premier League last season and is certainly good enough to play for a top club

The Southampton midfielder is an expert when it comes to winning the ball back for his side and setting up counter-attacks.

Joining a big club like Liverpool could accelerate his development and a great manager like Jürgen Klopp will help the player improve further.
While the asking price seems steep, the midfielder has the potential to justify the long-term investment.

July 3, 2023
Analyzing Liverpool’s midfield following the signing of Szoboszlai.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s singing has helped Liverpool to continue rebuilding their midfield. What the midfield looks like now with him and Alexis Mac Allister added raises the question of whether more acquisitions are required.

Less than three weeks have passed since the summer transfer window opened, but Liverpool has already made some significant moves to improve its underperforming midfield from the previous campaign. It seems like very good business to have signed Alex Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £95 million, as both players are expected to play regular roles in the team for the foreseeable future.

Noel looked at the midfield math a few weeks ago to determine how many minutes Liverpool could reasonably look to distribute. Although Szoboszlai’s unexpected acquisition doesn’t alter the math, it might alter Liverpool’s midfield’s anticipated make-up. Let’s examine the makeup and depth of Liverpool’s midfield with eight active senior team members competing for three starting positions (plus one potential player returning from loan).

Left Box to Box Midfield.

The Players.

Curtis Jones, Thiago, and Alexis MacAllister.

The Summary.

Jürgen Klopp’s formation typically assigns a more controlling role to the left-sided eight, who is in charge of maintaining possession of the ball and advancing the play. When healthy, Thiago has demonstrated that he excels in this position thanks to his ability to hold off the press and make a decisive pass. The 32-year-old’s performance last season declined, and he again missed a significant portion of the campaign due to injury.

A run of games to end the season helped Curtis Jones, a young player who also missed a significant portion of it, finish strongly. By doing a lot of grunt work and dribbling the ball from box to box to supply the attackers, the 22-year-old Jones demonstrated just how strong of a player he can be in the system.

Although he might be introduced gradually to the team to begin the season, Alexis Mac Allister is anticipated to replace both Thiago and Curtis Jones. Even though the team may not appear to be particularly impressive, the 24-year-old World Cup winner should keep it moving. He is a more sophisticated version of Curtis Jones.

Right box to Box Midfield

The Players

Jordan Henderson, Harvey Elliott, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The summary.

The right-sided eight for Liverpool typically plays a little more offensively while still defending the flank to free up Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah to do their respective jobs. Jordan Henderson has long held the primary position here, but as he ages and physically deteriorates, other players have been given more playing time. Henderson might spend more time playing the holding position as he transitions into a more rotational player at the position.

Harvey Elliott is the athlete who was regarded as Henderson’s obvious successor.
Last season, the 20-year-old made a strong start in the part before losing steam. Elliott is a great playmaker, but he lacks a lot of physicality and is more quick than fast. Nevertheless, he has shown himself to be a reliable player and is still developing.

Similar to the left side, Liverpool signed a player who is a few years older and more experienced than the youngster who previously played a key role. When Mohamed Salah is unavailable for the African Cup of Nations, Dominik Szoboszlai will likely overtake Elliott as the starting right midfielder on a consistent basis. However, he may also play further forward in that situation.

Holding Midfield.
The Players

Thaigo, Tyler Morton, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Stefan Bajcetic.

The summary.

Liverpool has improved both the left and right sides of their midfield, but the holding midfield position is still up for debate. Fabinho just finished a season in which he frequently struggled to keep up and appeared to be well behind the pace. He did appear better in the latter part of the campaign when Trent Alexander-Arnold sat next to him while in possession, relieving some of the pressure to allow Fabinho to play.

Stefan Bajcetic is a promising young player who made an impact in the Premier League in less than 600 minutes. He may have looked the part at age 18, but he is still very much a player who will probably need time to develop into a regular starting role with reliable performances. Although he is probably the position’s future starter, at this point he shouldn’t be counted on to do so every day.

Due to the creation of the position to play alongside Trent, two additional seasoned players could also add depth to the holding role. Jordan Henderson and Thiago have both played the holding position for Liverpool at various times. Despite the fact that it may not be their ideal job, they have both demonstrated that they are capable of performing well there when necessary. Particularly Thiago could be an intriguing option against low block teams, allowing two excellent playmakers in him and Trent Alexander-Arnold to control the game from the middle of the pitch.

The wild card of the group is Tyler Morton. The 20-year-old gained success with a successful loan with Blackburn last season after making a few appearances for Liverpool’s senior team two seasons ago. Although it would take a significant improvement for him to compete for regular playing time for Liverpool, he is a player to keep an eye on in the near future. Additionally, he wouldn’t count against the non-homegrown player cap, which might be a major plus for him this season.

Final Analysis.

Khéphren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch’s rumored pursuits are probably over now that Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined the team. No, he is not a holding midfielder; do not suggest this. At both box to box roles in the team, Liverpool currently has a nice mix of ages and levels of experience.

Only the holding role appears to be a candidate for additional strengthening. Jordan Henderson and Thiago would only provide momentary depth as Fabinho is nearing the end of his career. Really, Tyler Morton has the best chance of making the jump after a successful loan with Blackburn, but Stefan Bajcetic is the only player expected to play a bigger part in the team moving forward.

Manu Koné of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Roméo Lavia of Southampton are both holding midfielders who would give Liverpool a boost. Liverpool is reportedly interested in both of them. Sadly, Koné hurt his knee while competing for the France U21 team this summer, and Southampton is trying to get a king’s ransom for Lavia. Lavia would eventually be able to count as a homegrown player and would not count against the cap of non-homegrown players, but it seems unlikely that Liverpool would agree to a deal unless they could significantly reduce the cost.

Although a surprise holding midfield option isn’t ruled out if there are any more departures from the squad, I would not anticipate any more midfield additions at this time. It appears likely that Liverpool will either decide to sign a holding player next summer if Stefan Bajcetic doesn’t seem to fit the bill, or look to replace him as time goes on.

July 3, 2023
Five Dominik Szoboszlai moments before the Liverpool transfer: Klopp praise, Neymar response

Liverpool appear poised to finalize a transfer for Dominik Szoboszlai, and these are the career-defining moves of the Hungarian up until his move to Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s transfer is nearing completion for Liverpool and he promises to be an exciting one for fans around the world. It is yet another potential midfield addition that could usher in Jürgen Klopp’s new era at Anfield.

Although he is only 22 years old, the Hungarian has had to take many steps forward in his career. He has already made 40 caps for the country and was awarded the national team armband, so he has a lot of experience.

And he’s already achieved some very important moments in his career, including a plethora of world-class goals that make him an entertaining highlight on YouTube.

Liverpool.com has set out to compile his top five career highlights leading up to his anticipated move to Anfield, with a deal to be confirmed in the next 24 hours (according to The Athletic).

In the spring of 2017, even in Hungary, few had heard of Dominik Szoboszlai. He had just moved to Red Bull Salzburg and was only 16 years old.

But in Hungary’s elite qualifying round at the Under-17 European Championship, the boy with the captain’s armband made a name for himself.

He started by scoring twice with two identical free kicks against Russia, and then the icing on the cake came in Hungary’s final game against Norway.

Hungary needed a win to qualify. Szoboszlai competed against his future friend and teammate in Salzburg, Erling Haaland.

Fast forward to extra time as the final minutes wind down and the game is tied. Szoboszlai receives the ball just outside the edge of the penalty area and deflects it into the top corner in the closing seconds of the game.

Hungary had not qualified for an under-17 tournament since 2006. That goal caused quite a stir in the Hungarian media and saw him promoted to under-21 and even trained with the senior side aged just 16.

🇭🇺 Hungarians will remember this as the game that made Szoboszlai. Especially, @wonderkidshun!

It’s 2017 – Hungary need a goal to qualify for the U17 Euros for the first time since 2006.

Up against Erling Haaland’s Norway, it’s the last minute and Szoboszlai does this: pic.twitter.com/C8FLRwOLs0

— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) July 1, 2023

Recognition of Klopp

A few years later, Dominik Szoboszlai moved up the ranks to Red Bull Salzburg to establish himself in the starting eleven. It’s 2019, Szoboszlai’s first ever season in the Champions League and he is faced with current champions Liverpool.

The experience made a big impression on Szoboszlai at the time, who played at a crowded Anfield in a spectacular 4-3 formation.

But he stood out even more in the second match in Salzburg, after which Klopp also noticed.
After that match, the Liverpool manager came forward to congratulate the Hungarian on his performance.

“If someone like Klopp comes up to you after the final whistle and says ‘great job’, it means you’re probably on the right track,” Szoboszlai later told Nemzeti Sport.

He becomes a hero and rewrite history

A year later, aged just 20, Szoboszlai became a leading figure in the Hungarian national team and also in Salzburg.

Returning from pandemic quarantine in renewed form, he has dominated matches for Salzburg at club level, while notching up some spectacular goals for Hungary in the Nations League, with his strike against Turkey being a case in point. However, the biggest moment of his career came in the play-off against Iceland for a place at Euro 2020.

The match seemed to be heading for a stalemate, much like against Norway in 2017. But in the dying embers, Szoboszlai came to power. Waltzing through a maze of Iceland defenders, he fired a shot from around 20 yards out that landed perfectly in the corner of the net.

At 20, Szoboszlai has just scored a goal that makes him an instant hero in Hungary. A few months later he made the big move to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Overcoming Neymar’s provocations

In Leipzig, Szoboszlai had to rest briefly due to injury, but recovered under Jesse Marsch and became a major figure in the team.

One of the most defining moments of his Leipzig career was in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Szoboszlai was an early second-half substitute in that game and when Leipzig conceded a 92nd-minute penalty while trailing 2-1 to PSG, he was the Hungarian who stepped up to kick the ball .

As the VAR check continued, Szoboszlai had to resist the taunts and mind games of Neymar, who approached him and cheekily asked if he would score.

Szoboszlai’s response came immediately. He put the ball past the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma in the PSG goal and secured an important point for his side.

As you can see below, when recounting that experience, Szoboszlai reacted with some confidence to Neymar’s taunts.

Szoboszlai on what Neymar said to him before he took his penalty 😳 pic.twitter.com/YqGA5TwUAk

— LiveScore (@livescore) November 4, 2021

A goal in the DFB Cup

Szoboszlai’s crowning glory in Leipzig is the DFB Cup final at the start of the summer. He had already won the cup the previous season, but this time he played a much more crucial role.

The Hungarian scored twice in the semi-final and then scored the decisive goal in the final to lift the trophy against Eintracht Frankfurt. This was the first goal by a Hungarian in the German Cup final since Lajos Détári in the 1980s.

Szoboszlai is now a captain of the Hungarian senior team and is finishing the season strongly at club level, even scoring in a win against Bayern Munich. Szoboszlai has achieved a status few have in Hungarian football.

A move to Liverpool would make perfect sense at this stage of his career.

July 2, 2023
Dominik Szoboszlai is acquired by Liverpool in a £60 million deal from RB Leipzig.

Dominik Szoboszlai was a target for Newcastle, but when it became clear that he would be moving to Anfield, it eliminated all other potential suitors. The midfielder finished his Merseyside medical earlier on Sunday and is Liverpool’s second summer addition.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been acquired by Liverpool for £60 million from RB Leipzig. The midfielder signed a five-year deal that runs through 2028.

Newcastle had also expressed interest in the 22-year-old midfielder, but once Szoboszlai made it clear that he wanted to join Liverpool, it eliminated all other potential suitors.

Friday’s agreement by Liverpool to activate his £60 million release clause marked a significant development in the negotiations.

Szoboszlai had a medical on Merseyside on Saturday and Sunday, and if he receives a work permit, he will join Alexis Mac Allister as Liverpool’s second summer addition after Brighton, who was acquired for an initial £35 million.

Szoboszlai, like Mac Allister, is regarded by Liverpool as a versatile midfielder who offers tactical versatility because of his capacity to operate in a variety of roles and formations.
He can play either the number 8 or number 10 position, according to Jurgen Klopp, and he can also play either wide position.

At Anfield, there is no denying Szoboszlai’s skill, positive attitude, and ability to play anywhere in the middle of the field are all valued. He also possesses the ball-carrying skills and impressive chance-creation metrics that Liverpool is looking for.

The team looked at a variety of options as they sought to improve the technical proficiency, dynamism, and depth in midfield.

Due to his similar value, age, and versatility, Liverpool thought Szoboszlai was a better option than Mason Mount, who will undergo a medical with Manchester United early next week. Liverpool believed that the release clause would make it simpler to finalize the deal for Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai, who was elected captain of Hungary at the age of 22 by his international teammates, is regarded by Liverpool as a natural leader and a player of considerable maturity despite his youth.

After following Szoboszlai’s progress in the Bundesliga and hearing positive feedback from friends and former coworkers in Germany, Klopp eventually made Szoboszlai a top priority.

An inflated market, particularly for midfielders, and the absence of Champions League revenue or a major player sale are all factors contributing to Liverpool’s biggest shake-up under Klopp.

The primary factors being evaluated are affordability, availability, and the desire to revive Liverpool as a domestic and European force.

Szoboszlai is the seller’s market value pick.

Ben Grounds of Sky Sports:.

“Liverpool are looking for deals in a summer that has seen Jude Bellingham potentially become the most expensive British footballer of all time, Declan Rice commanding a fee north of £100 million, and Mason Mount is worth upwards of £55 million.

“Alexis Mac Allister, 24, a World Cup champion, arrived early and fits the type of player Jurgen Klopp is looking for.

“Dominik Szoboszlai fits the same description. The Hungary captain, who is still only 22, has room to grow.

In a recent European Qualifier match against Montenegro, Szoboszlai’s superior performance stood out despite the match’s goalless outcome and general forgettability.

The Premier League is now his next stop because he was at ease on that Podgorica pitch’s constrictive spaces.

“The DFB-Pokal Cup victory over Eintracht Frankfurt felt like a fitting way to cap off Szoboszlai’s 10 goals and 13 assists from the previous campaign.

“And although there might have been some leverage given that Fabio Carvalho signed a season-long loan agreement with RB Leipzig on Friday, talks on the 20-year-old’s deal were held separately.

“Szoboszlai may well turn out to be the smart choice in a sellers’ market. “.

What is Szoboszlai going to bring?

Andy Brassell, an authority on European football, appeared on The Transfer Show.

“Szoboszlai is a very talented player, and he is prepared for the Premier League. He goes box-to-box, puts in a ton of work, is an incredible athlete, has great technique, loves to take shots from outside the box, can score goals and set them up for teammates, and enjoys taking ownership of moving a team forward.

He will make Liverpool’s midfield more dynamic, which was lacking last season.
“.

Sky Sports will be your source for summer transfer news.

Who will be moving this summer before the transfer window closes on September 1 at 11 p.m. in England and midnight in Scotland?

July 2, 2023
Report: Liverpool is ready to accept the fee to sign the third midfielder.

Liverpool have already completed the signing of Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister during the summer transfer window.

Moreover, Hungarian star Dominik Szoboszlai is already on his way to Anfield to reinforce Jurgen Klopp in the centre.

According to the media, Liverpool are ready to accept the transfer fee required to sign another midfielder in the form of Gabri Veiga.

According to 90min, Liverpool have held talks with representative Pini Zahavi to sign the Spanish talent from Celta Vigo.

The news source mentioned that the 21-year-old is a wanted player in the Premier League as Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle also want him.

The Spanish club have clarified that their valuable assets will only be sold if the termination clause in their contract is activated. Liverpool are reportedly one of the clubs willing to activate the £34.3m (€40m) clause to hire his services in the summer transfer window.

The Merseysiders have allowed Milner, Keita and Ox to start as Bosmans this summer and signing three young and talented midfielders to replace them should help them return next season.

Veiga can play effectively in the No. 1 positions. 8 and no. 10 and contributed directly to 15 La Liga goals last season.
We’ll see how the saga of the transfer unfolds and keep you posted.

More news……..

Liverpool transfer intentions are complicated by forward’s big price tag

Liverpool’s bid for Federico Chiesa may have hit a stumbling block, with Juventus reportedly demanding a hefty transfer fee for the winger.

According to reports from Italy, Chiesa is on the shopping list as the Reds look to rebuild their squad after a totally disappointing 2022/23 campaign.

However, a deal could prove difficult as Liverpool and Juve appear to be at odds over their respective ratings of the 25-year-old Euro 2020 winner.

However, it is understood that Juve want a lot more than that for the former Fiorentina player, with a sum of €60m (£51m) reported.

Liverpool have been consistently thrifty in the transfer market in recent years – as evidenced by the recent decision to pull out of Jude Bellingham’s run amid concerns over the England star’s price tag. The wrong fit

After initially being on loan from Fiorentina, Chiesa eventually moved to Juve last summer, joining the 36-time Italian champions for €42.5million.

In total, he made 94 appearances for the Bianconeri, scoring 22 goals and winning the 2020/21 Coppa Italia.

The last few years have proven to be quite frustrating for Chiesa – after helping his country triumph at Euro 2020, he spent most of the year sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.

Moreover, he has found his involvement with Juve limited as coach Massimiliano Allegri tends to opt for a 3-5-2 formation which obviously disregards Chiesa’s strengths as a striker.

Read also………

Given that Carlo Ancelotti’s team is short on midfielders, Liverpool will “look to test Real Madrid’s resolve with a huge £77m bid for Federico Valverde.”

Liverpool are reportedly preparing for another attack on Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.

The Reds reportedly turned down a £51m offer for the Uruguay midfielder earlier this month and have tried to secure his signature in the past.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are looking for more midfield opportunities and the deal could please Los Blancos, who are well aware of the gargantuan sums they are spending on Jude Bellingham and possibly Kylian Mbappe.

Valverde’s options at Madrid appear limited by the arrival of Bellingham, renewed deals for Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos, as well as the club’s decision not to sell Aurélien Tchouameni despite his own struggles to break into the squad .

Liverpool already have Alexis Mac Allister in their ranks but the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita mean they need reinforcements in the middle of the park. Valverde, 24, would bring a wealth of winning experience despite his relatively young age.

He already has two LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy to his name and was part of the 2022/23 season LaLiga squad.

He has played nearly 300 times in his career and is one of the favorites at the Santiago Bernabéu. He can play as a central midfielder, right winger, defensive midfielder and occasionally even right back.

This versatility is an asset Klopp will like, and 12 goals from midfield this season is an asset.

However, a car park arrest in which he punched Villarreal’s Alex Baena in April – after Baena allegedly taunted him about his unborn son – left a bad taste in his mouth.

July 2, 2023
Liverpool is accelerating their efforts to sign ‘excellent’ 22-year-old after Szoboszlai.

Liverpool are accelerating efforts to reach an agreement with OGC Nice over the signing of Khephren Thuram.
The Reds have apparently been pursuing Thuram for the past month, with talks with agents in early June.

But despite Liverpool doing business over the next few weeks, nothing progressed under Thuram.

However, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, things could change. Galetti took to Twitter on Saturday night suggesting Liverpool are doing everything they can to get a deal over the edge.

“Liverpool are stepping things up for Khephren Thuram,” wrote the Italian journalist.

“LFC would like to close the gap with OGC Nice soon in order to get ahead of the competition from Newcastle, who are starting to move concretely for the player: the situation is changing.”

With the Reds already close to overtaking Newcastle ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai, they will be in the market for another win.
When they can’t get things done, the Magpies seem ready to attack.

Heading into Thursday, Thuram looked like the next signing at Anfield. However, after learning that Liverpool were interested in Szoboszlai, things quickly turned away from that notion. Now, it seems clear that the Hungarian will be Jürgen Klopp’s number two this summer.

The move is expected to be completed and announced later this week.

So where is Thuram? Well, early reports seem to suggest that Liverpool are still interested in signing the Frenchman. Szoboszlai’s upcoming arrival doesn’t seem to have changed that. If so, Reds fans have every reason to be happy.

The 22-year-old has been described as a “fantastic” player by former Nice coach Didier Digard [RMC Sport]. Thuram seems to have all the qualities of a modern midfielder.

But Newcastle are not to be taken lightly here. After missing out on Szoboszlai, they reportedly wanted to sign Thuram instead. With a lot of background work already done, Liverpool need to keep their foot firmly on the pedal. Let’s make another one!

More news……..

FSG, the owners of Liverpool, may have the opportunity to move through with £2 billion deal plan

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group consider buying NBA expansion franchise

Fenway Sports Group could acquire an NBA team sooner than expected after league commissioner Adam Silver hinted the wheels could be in motion as early as next year.

Liverpool owners FSG have been linked for some time with buying an expansion franchise in the world’s premier basketball league as the NBA is set to grow from its current 30 teams to 32 over the coming seasons, a development that caused potential bidders to become alarmed.

FSG co-founder and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has previously openly expressed interest in adding an NBA team to a portfolio that already includes the Reds, Boston Red Sox (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) and RFK Racing ( NASCAR). .

It’s a move that would almost certainly put basketball icon and FSG partner LeBron James, who has made no secret of his desire to own and manage an NBA team in the future, with an emphasis especially in Las Vegas.

The Nevada desert will almost certainly have an NBA team during the expansion, with Las Vegas becoming one with the arrival of teams like the Las Vegas Raiders (NHL) and Las Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) in recent years, Sports Mecca s is developed.

The Oakland Athletics baseball team will also move to the city after spending $1.5 billion to acquire land for a new stadium. Formula 1 will bring a grand prix to Las Vegas for the first time later this year as the city is now a booming sports market

FSG has an interest in an expansion franchise, with Las Vegas in mind rather than the other likely candidate, Seattle, and they are an ownership group that would be leading preferred bidders for an expansion franchise of the NBA from a league leadership perspective.

There were a few issues that needed to be resolved before talks could begin on new franchises, with the NBA players’ union and the league itself expected to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by 2029. It was finally approved this week.

The next item on the agenda is a new round of media rights, which should be negotiated next spring. Once that’s over, Silver gave his clearest sign yet, saying the league “will look to expansion.” Silver added that the NBA “doesn’t have anything specific in mind right now” but that “it will make sense over time.”

Last month, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said he expected a new expansion team to arrive in less than five years.

Once TV media negotiations are finalized and attention is turned to expansion, the process will begin in earnest to find new markets for the teams and then new owners.

The starting price is expected to exceed $2.5 billion, with that amount shared among existing member clubs, who are expected to vote on any proposed league expansion.

The expansion of its North American sports portfolio has become more relevant for FSG due to greater cost certainty due to the closed nature of the professional league ecosystem in the United States.

The Reds’ owners have also scaled back somewhat on their plans to expand their football portfolio through a multi-club model.

July 2, 2023
Liverpool believes they have found a “special” midfielder to join Mac Allister and Szoboszlai

Stefan Bajectic is very important at Liverpool.
Liverpool believe they have a ‘special’ midfielder alongside new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Reds are set to make Szoboszlai their second signing of the summer after activating the RB Leipzig player’s £60m release clause.

Szoboszlai flew to Merseyside for a medical on Saturday and will sign a long-term contract in the next part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield makeover. It follows the capture of Mac Allister from Brighton for £35m rising to £55m.

But with Liverpool having the potential to sign more midfielders – notably Khephren Thuram and Romeo Lavia – they also believe they already have the best talent on their hands.

The Daily Mail report that club officials see youngster Stefan Bacjetic as a ‘special’ player.

The 18-year-old left a lasting impression in his 19 first-team appearances last season. A win at Aston Villa made him the third youngest player to score for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Former Celta Vigo youngster Bajcetic signed a new contract in January and is considered to be one of the club’s biggest talents.

The teenager showed excellent composure and possession control in every game he played and was also one of the team’s best ball winners during his time with the club. ‘crew.

Unfortunately, the Spain U19 international’s season was cut short in March due to injury otherwise he would have made several more appearances. But he can expect to strengthen his record in the 2023/24 season, despite the influx of new qualities into midfield.

Bajcetic – who can play as both a number 6 and a number 8 – should get plenty of Europa League minutes when Liverpool return to second place in Europe.

He is also hoping for frequent Premier League commitments as Klopp’s side look to improve on a disappointing season last time out.

The German coach showered Bajcetic with praise for his footballing intelligence in February. He said: “A great player. He’s a pleasure to work with. The mix of Serbia and Spain is good for his football.

He’s a smart kid.” Interesting that his father and Thiago’s father played together. Thiago took him under his wing. An absolute delight.”

Mohamed Salah also impressed his junior team-mate following their Merseyside derby defeat to Everton at Anfield in February.

The Egyptian told Sky Sports: “He’s a great player and a person, always trying to work hard. Since he started playing for us he’s been without a doubt our best player, hopefully he keeps that faith and continues.” .

Bajcetic replied: “Mo Salah is probably one of the greatest ever players in Liverpool’s history, so it’s great to hear that from a legend.

It’s crazy, I played with the under 18s a year ago and now I play at Anfield and it happened within a year and I’m really enjoying it.”

More news…….

Liverpool are the favorites to sign the 19-year-old midfield prodigy this summer.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

The 19-year-old was hugely impressive for Southampton in the Premier League last season and is expected to join a top club this summer.

Lavia is well regarded in the Premier League and a number of clubs have followed him through the season.
However, Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell has now revealed to Empire of the Kop that Liverpool are first choice for the 19-year-old midfielder.

The former Manchester City midfielder is valued at between £40m and £50m and it remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to pay for him. The Reds need a quality defensive midfielder this summer and Lavia could challenge Fabinho for the starting spot next season

The Brazil international midfielder was rather disappointing last season and Liverpool need to step up competition for places.

Lavia could be Fabinho’s replacement or he could even compete with the Brazilian for the starting position. He showed his qualities in the Premier League last season and is certainly good enough to play for a top club

The Southampton midfielder is an expert when it comes to winning the ball back for his side and setting up counter-attacks.

Joining a big club like Liverpool could accelerate his development and a great manager like Jürgen Klopp will help the player improve further.
While the asking price seems steep, the midfielder has the potential to justify the long-term investment.

July 2, 2023
Liverpool has announced the departure of 11 free agents.

11 players have left Liverpool after their contracts expired.

Reds manager Jürgen Klopp is looking to reform his squad after a disappointing season and is already moving into the transfer window, having signed midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and signed a deal to add Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig to 70 million euros.

There is room for new faces at Anfield as Liverpool have parted ways with as many as three midfielders – James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
Milner spent eight years at the club, making a staggering 332 appearances, and won’t have long to wait for a reunion with Liverpool after agreeing a deal to join Brighton.

Like Milner, Keita has already found a new club. The Guinean international returned to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, five years after leaving Germany for Anfield.

Perhaps the most emotional departure of all is that of striker Roberto Firmino. Liverpool have already paid tribute to the Brazilian, who managed 111 goals and 79 assists in 362 appearances for the Reds before embarking on a new adventure this summer.

Nothing has been signed yet, but Firmino is a key target for the Saudi Pro League and is expected to move to the Middle East.
Liverpool’s academy has also seen the departure of seven talents: Jack Bearne, Fidel O’Rourke, Iwan Roberts, Liam Hughes, Oscar Kelly, Charlie Hayes-Green and Oludare Olufunwa. Bearne is the only one of the group to have played for the senior side, coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa in 2019.

Klopp is looking to reform his squad after a disappointing season and is already moving into the transfer window, having signed midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and signed a deal to add Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig to 70 million euros.

There is room for new faces at Anfield as Liverpool have parted ways with as many as three midfielders – James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.

Milner spent eight years at the club, making a staggering 332 appearances, and won’t have long to wait for a reunion with Liverpool after agreeing a deal to join Brighton.

Like Milner, Keita has already found a new club. The Guinean international returned to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, five years after leaving Germany for Anfield.

Perhaps the most emotional departure of all is that of striker Roberto Firmino. Liverpool have already paid tribute to the Brazilian, who managed 111 goals and 79 assists in 362 appearances for the Reds before embarking on a new adventure this summer.

Nothing has been signed yet, but Firmino is a key target for the Saudi Pro League and is expected to move to the Middle East.

Liverpool’s academy has also seen the departure of seven talents: Jack Bearne, Fidel O’Rourke, Iwan Roberts, Liam Hughes, Oscar Kelly, Charlie Hayes-Green and Oludare Olufunwa.

Bearne is the only one of the group to have played for the senior side, coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa in 2019.

More news……..

Liverpool transfer news: Euro expert renders decision on £60m Szoboszlai

European football pundit Andy Brassell has now issued his verdict on a likely transfer to Liverpool for RB Leipzig maestro Dominik Szoboszlai as the Reds’ pursuit continues.

Brassell has praised what Szoboszlai could bring to Liverpool when speaking to Sky Sports, which reports the Reds’ interest.

It also notes that the 22-year-old has expressed a desire to move to Anfield. But Jürgen Klopp has a very tight deadline to use a £60 million escape clause.

RB Leipzig has structured the release clause to end on June 30, when the official 2022/23 football season comes to an end.

Liverpool, however, goes forward with their prosecution following a positive meeting with the representatives of Szoboszlai. The Reds met his camp this Monday to hold talks.

Szoboszlai has captivated Liverpool with its form to RB Leipzig since a first transfer of 18 million pounds sterling of the Bundesliga’s outfit, RB Salzburg, in January 2021.

The Reds have a clear appreciation for its talent and its attitude, as well as that his ability to play through a midfielder three.

The heads of Anfield also admire that his metrics for creating chance and his ball transport capacities both correspond to the profile that the club has sought.

Therefore, talks between Liverpool and RB Leipzig are progressing over a transfer of Szoboszlai. However, the deadline for his release clause remains in place.

What did Brassell say about Szoboszlai joining Klopp’s squad?
Sky Sports add that Szoboszlai has expressed a desire to join Liverpool and Newcastle United have also pulled out of the tug-of-war over the RB Leipzig star’s transfer. The Toons also admire what the Hungarian has been able to bring to the Premier League. But the Magpies will look elsewhere now.

European football expert Brassell believes Szoboszlai would have brought something new to the Newcastle squad had he signed this summer.

He also believes the midfielder will improve Klopp’s squad as Szoboszlai’s transfer can solve a key problem Liverpool faced in the 2022/23 season.

“Szoboszlai is a very good player,” Brassell said. “He is ready for the Premier League. It goes into a boxed box [and] through tons.

“He is an incredible athlete, has an excellent technique, likes a shot outside the plate, can score goals and score goals and love to take responsibility for the advantage of a team.”

“The two clubs associated with him, Newcastle and Liverpool, are good adjustments for him. If you are looking at what point Newcastle has become sporty under Eddie Howe, he will add something. Liverpool was missing in the middle of the dynamics last season, and he would also improve it. “”

July 1, 2023
Latest news LIVE: Szoboszlai arrives at Liverpool, Chelsea Latest and Man United “to bid £50 million” for Onana.

Liverpool is planning to add RB Leipzig. Man United is looking for a new goalkeeper, Chelsea is continuing their rebuild, and Dominik Szoboszlai has joined their team after agreeing to a £60 million deal.

The summer transfer window has not recently caught up. It is undeniably on fire.

After lending Fabio Carvalho to the German club, Liverpool reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to purchase Dominik Szoboszlai for £60 million. Jurgen Klopp is now rebuilding his Anfield midfield following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister.

After agreeing to a deal with Chelsea, who have their own new £30 million striker in Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson, Manchester United is nearing an agreement for Mason Mount. They are also making additional efforts to see if they can bring Erik ten Hag and Inter Milan’s Andre Onana back together.

Arsenal is still pressing forward with their acquisition of No. With only a few minor details of their £105 million transfer still to be worked out, No. 1 target Declan Rice is moving forward, while Aston Villa is making good progress with the arrival of Youri Tielemans and the potential arrival of Pau Torres.

As they wait for Lionel Messi to arrive, there are numerous other projects in the works across the Premier League and beyond, not to mention Saudi Arabia and the MLS.

Onana is “open” to a Manchester United move.

This summer, Andre Onana is reportedly “open” to leaving Inter Milan and joining Manchester United.

As Erik ten Hag looks to expand his goalkeeping staff, the 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Onana, who joined Inter a year ago on a free transfer, may require United to pay around £50 million to entice him away from the club.

Liverpool receives Szoboszlai.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Dominik Szoboszlai has landed in Liverpool. Welcome to Liverpool Dominik Szoboszlai. pic.twitter.com/RGURcXLZFL

— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) July 1, 2023

Dominik Szoboszlai arrived in Liverpool before his rumored £60 million move to Anfield.

After two seasons at RB Leizpig, where he scored 20 goals in 91 games, the Hungarian is about to join the Reds.

Leicester has officially signed Winks.

Harry Winks has been acquired by Leicester from Tottenham for an estimated $10 million.

The 27-year-old midfielder is the Foxes’ first summer addition in preparation for the 2023–24 Championship season after agreeing to a three-year contract.

Winks expressed his delight upon learning of his transfer on the club’s website. I’m incredibly eager for the upcoming challenge. The club has a fantastic history and amazing facilities. I’m just so relieved to be here and eager to get started.

“I can’t wait to get going, to spend the entire preseason with the team, and to come here early to prepare for the upcoming games.

The next few weeks will be crucial for preparing everyone and for me to work hard on getting in shape. “.

Liverpool plans a Szoboszlai medical.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s release clause was reportedly activated by the Reds, and he will now go through the first portion of his Liverpool medical on Saturday.

The team led by Jurgen Klopp is nearing an expensive transfer for the RB Leipzig prospect.

Villa introduces Tielemans.

After his contract with Leicester expired on June 30, Youri Tielemans has been introduced as an Aston Villa player.

Welcome to Aston Villa, Youri Tielemans. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Q4G3jQ1KHN

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 1, 2023

City loses Borrell, the assistant coach.

Rodolfo Borrell, Manchester City’s assistant manager, left the treble winners to take a position as sporting director at Major League Soccer team Austin FC.

The Spaniard moved to City from Liverpool in 2014 as the organization’s global technical director. He later accepted the position of head coach for the academy and joined Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.

After Enzo Maresca was named manager of Leicester earlier this month, Borrell, who was appointed assistant manager before City’s Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup victories last year, is the second of Guardiola’s assistants to depart this summer.

He has contributed significantly to the club’s successes over the past nine years, according to Txiki Begiristain, director of football.

“The manager has frequently mentioned how crucial his coaching staff has been in assisting him and the team in achieving what we have.

“Of course, during his time at Manchester City, Rodolfo played a significant role in that.

“I am absolutely certain that he will be a huge asset to Austin FC and US soccer. “.

More changes at Chelsea.

On Friday night, Chelsea had one in and one out.

Nicolas Jackson made a £30 million transfer to the team from Villarreal.

Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, the co-sporting directors, expressed their excitement to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea on the Chelsea website. As he demonstrated for Villarreal last season, he is a young player with great potential.

We think Mauricio Pochettino, our new head coach, and his Chelsea teammates will help him advance in his career, and we are excited to have him work with them. “.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek committed to AC Milan as soon as he arrived.

The 27-year-old player signs a four-year contract with Milan that runs through June 2027 for an estimated fee of £16 million.

Utd will keep talking to De Gea.
David de Gea and Manchester United will continue talking about a new contract as his current one expires.

The seasoned Spaniard, 32, whose contract expired today, has been in protracted negotiations without success.

De Gea was about to agree to a new contract extension when the club withdrew its offer and resubmitted it with different terms.

The club provided an update on loan agreements that were officially set to expire and concluded by saying that talks with long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea “remain open.”.

Additionally, United announced that Marcel Sabitzer, a midfielder, and Wout Weghorst, a striker, would end their temporary stays and return to their respective teams, Bayern Munich and Burnley.

July 1, 2023
After completing the transfer of Szoboszlai, Liverpool “can easily activate” the second release clause.

According to reports, Liverpool is getting closer to signing attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.

According to reports in the player’s native Portugal, Liverpool ‘could easily activate’ the release clause of Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio if they wanted to sign the 21-year-old. Numerous prominent clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, are rumored to be interested in signing the youngster, who is currently making waves for his current team in both European and Primeira Liga play.

Inacio is a left-footed central defender who has filled in at full-back for Sporting this season. He can play at left center-back or right center-back.

He has played for Portugal’s U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21 teams extensively, and has now made his senior national team debut with two caps.

The print version of the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims that Liverpool are one of the teams vying for his services and that the Reds ‘could easily’ trigger his release clause.

Inacio’s release from his Sporting contract is reportedly going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of £40 million, which the Portuguese media considers to be a very reasonable and affordable price.

According to reports, Liverpool is searching for a new center back, ideally one who is also left-footed.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been moved further forward into a central midfield position as Jurgen Klopp implements his new three-at-the-back formation.

Thus, Andy Robertson has been able to fit in as a member of a back-three, but it’s possible that Liverpool is looking to the market for a player who better fits their new formation.

Dominik Szoboszlai is anticipated to follow Alexis Mac Allister out the door, but Robertson still plays a crucial role for Klopp’s team. Liverpool is now bringing in players who are perfect for their new tactical scheme.

Although Mac Allister can also play as a No. 10, both of them could still fill two advanced attacking midfield positions in the system. 6.

As they intensify negotiations with RB Leipzig, Liverpool is now pushing to complete the signing of the 22-year-old international from Hungary.

The £60 million release clause for Szoboszlai, which is set to expire on June 30, is anticipated to be activated by the Reds.

As a replacement for James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino, and Naby Keita, who are all leaving Liverpool, Szoboszlai is reportedly prepared to join the revolution.

Szoboszlai is not likely to be Liverpool’s final summer signing, even if they manage to get the deal approved.

The possibility of adding another midfielder is still very real, and the Reds’ top priority before the transfer window closes is a defender.

Liverpool looked into the terms of a swoop for Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol in January, but they felt he was out of their price range.

Levi Colwill of Chelsea is also admired, but it seems highly unlikely that the Blues would be willing to sell him to a direct rival given that the two teams are also scheduled to face off at Stamford Bridge on the first day of the season in August.

More news……….

Liverpool are preparing a surprise offer for Valverde

According to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Liverpool are ready to make Real Madrid a whopping €90m (£77m) offer for their star midfielder.
Valverde has been linked with a move from the Bernabeu after Jude Bellingham recently joined Borussia Dortmund.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have also signed new contract extensions, putting heavy competitive pressure on the Madrid midfielder.

While Klopp knows all about the player from Liverpool’s various meetings with Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Europe, with Valverde providing the memorable assist for Vinicius Jr’s goal to win the 2022 Champions League final.
The report added that Real Madrid may find the Reds’ offer “very difficult to refuse”.

However, it would be a big surprise if the La Liga club were to allow him to leave, especially after his recent comments suggesting he is keen to stay in the Spanish capital.

In response to last month’s transfer rumours, Valverde dismissed the claims, stating (quotes via Liverpool Echo): “No, no. I’m in Madrid and I’m trying to enjoy every moment and leave my mark in the best club in the world.”

July 1, 2023