You wait ages for a free agent from the Bundesliga who can operate comfortably as both a centre-back and defensive midfielder, and then two come along at once. Or something about London buses…
The Sunday People is reporting that Liverpool want to follow-up their signing of Joel Matip from Schalke on a free transfer by snapping up Borussia Monchengladbach’s Havard Nordtveit for nothing.
The Norway international, who was at Arsenal between 2007 and 2010, only has six months remaining on his contract with the German club and is a top target for Jurgen Klopp, according to The People.
This fresh Nordtveit speculation is given credibility by the announcement of Matip’s impending arrival – made by Schalke today – which proves that we are active and exploiting the German market.
SEE MORE: Schalke confirm Joel Matip to join Liverpool at the end of the season
Nordtveit left Arsenal in 2010 having failed to make a single senior appearance, but he has since gone on to be a key player in the Gladbach side which qualified for this season’s Champions League.
Our apparent interest in the 25-year-old should be seen as shrewd rather than unambitious. Our business over the last few summer windows shows that splashing the cash is not always the answer.
With Matip and now Nordtveit – Klopp seems to be prioritising versatile players who can strengthen the spine of the team, and give him options for if we have another season cursed by injury.
And another potential recruit from the Bundesliga also shows that Klopp is at the centre of the circle of people entrusted with identifying new players – the importance of which cannot be understated.
It must be stressed – this is just a rumour – but it makes sense. If is indeed true, with Matip and Marko Grujic also incoming, several midfielders could be up for the chop at the end of the season.
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