Yesterday, Manchester United and Arsenal announced an enormous swap-deal, with Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan switching clubs.
Both players have been previously linked to Liverpool in the past, who were not focussed on the transfer window, but a miserable defeat to Swansea City, instead.
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LFC propose intriguing Sturridge swap-deal, following Sanchez/Mkhitaryan saga – Reports
According to the Echo, Liverpool considered the option of Sanchez, but ultimately deemed him at 29-years-old, too old:
“Aside from the astronomical wages and signing-on-fee – not to mention Henrikh Mkhriatyan as a sweetener – the Chilean would be considered too old, and too much of a risk, at that cost,” James Pearce writes.
Since FSG took over in 2010, Liverpool have bought just five players over the age of 27. Only two of those, Rickie Lambert and Ragnar Klavan, cost any money – which was hardly anything.
Even when we spend big (Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), the players are entering their prime, rather than already in it.
This creates the possibility of building a long-term team with a lasting legacy, although doubters will claim it also increases sell-on value.
Last night proved that Liverpool are short up top. Bar our front-three, who are insanely good despite last night’s struggles, there’s very little in terms of backup.
How nice would it have been to call Riyad Mahrez into action last night? But the Algerian is 28. This should prove to us it simply won’t happen.