Liverpool’s Transfer Week Unfolds in Dramatic Style
We’ve been waiting for developments all week and it seemed that everything accelerated from both sides on Wednesday evening. On the pitch as Liverpool were defeating Karlsruhe 4-2 in their opening pre-season friendly, it was off the field matters that were dominating all the headlines. It looks like there’ll be departures in the near future and it’s clear that the club have already begun the hunt for replacements. The biggest issue now is everyone at Anfield forgot the golden transfer rule and they’ll pay for it in more than one way.
Key Departures and Impact
After reports that the Jordan Henderson had agreed a three-year deal with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, the saga seems to reach its conclusion with numerous reports that a £12 million fee with potential add-ons has been agreed. Following on from the expected departure of Fabinho for around the £40 million mark, Liverpool find themselves short in midfield but for a slightly different reason this year. Other clubs know we need the bodies and exactly the type we’re targeting. The balance of power is well and truly with any of the selling clubs.
Learning from Past Transfer Mistakes
The key transfer lesson in football has always been buy from a position of strength. It ensures that players want to come to you, they’ll often fight or make that clear to their existing club to get there and it can drive a price down. Having approached last summer with a Tchouameni or no-one approach and with Arthur Melo the last senior midfielder of any sort to arrive at Anfield, everyone is aware of Liverpool’s problems. Combined with the summer departures already of Keita, Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jurgen Klopp desperately needs reinforcements and it won’t be easy to get them.
Current Market and Liverpool’s Stance
Prices have gone crazy already and combined with the current situation, Liverpool will be given no encouragement in their advances. Romeo Lavia’s £50 million fee shows no sign of reducing anytime soon and even the likes of Doucoure at Crystal Palace is now being quoted around the £70 million mark. West Ham have been told it’ll take around £80 million to lure Joao Palhinha from Fulham, another player whose recently been linked with Anfield. If Liverpool approach any club approximately three weeks before the season starts, a levy will be applied.
Much of their problems are now of their own making, be it lack of recruitment, poor contract decisions, high wages and the obvious mantra. Whatever happens now and whoever does come into replace Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp and the other members of the transfer committee simply can’t afford to get it wrong. We shouldn’t have to wait too long to see who it’ll be, but one thing is certain is those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Let’s hope we’re not here again anytime soon.
“Romeo Lavia’s £50 million fee shows no sign of reducing anytime soon ”
that didn’t age well
@gedly are you privy to some kinda info we don’t know about.
We can’t expect Henderson Milly or fan to go on forever bajatek is good carvalheo Ramsey doak poss thiago and one or two other players new signings coul click midfield into place especially with Trent playing there now