The Independent is reporting this afternoon that Liverpool are ready to make Mateo Kovacic our sixth signing of the summer, with talks over a £21.3m transfer believed to be taking place this week.
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Now, we’ve heard this before… many, many times. As much as we’d like to believe that the Croatian is set to join James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino at Anfield, there’s no genuine indicator to suggest that it’s actually happening.
Indeed, several sources have changed their tune over the last couple of weeks, and are now suggesting that no such talks have ever been on the table – despite reporting completely the opposite earlier this month. Both Goal and the Daily Mail have told us that the midfielder will be remaining at Inter Milan, although last summer should teach us that you can never say never – see Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren etc.
The Independent quite rightly point out that Inter have now signed Geoffrey Kondogbia from AS Monaco and hence have the ideal replacement already on their books. With Financial Fair Play rules also putting pressure on Inter (via BBC Sport), it’s unlikely that their reported £28m purchase won’t require them to let someone else go.
What’s strange, is this odd back and forth that seems to be happening. Each day a different Kovacic to Liverpool rumour is reported – sometimes the news looks good, sometimes not so good, but it’s hard to believe that this saga would continue to reach the headlines without some sort of reason.
Our interest and progress with any potential transfer is undoubtedly less than what is reported, but based on the quick-fire business we’ve done already this summer, it seems foolish to rule out the possibility of this one coming off.
We will continue to watch and wait.