Liverpool have been ruthless in the current summer market, exploiting release clauses to land two stellar additions to the squad in Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
The Merseysiders can’t always beat their rivals to admired players, of course, as has been made clear by Manchester City’s pursuit of reported target (Florian Plettenberg) Josko Gvardiol.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Twitter that talks remain ongoing between RB Leipzig and Pep Guardiola’s outfit, with the club expected to seal a deal for the talented Croatian before the window closes.
Manchester City have scheduled new round of talks to make decisive steps on Joško Gvardiol deal. It’s expected to take place next week. 🚨🔵🇭🇷 #MCFC
Negotiations continue as initial approach for €75m plus add-ons fee has been rejected. Leipzig want at least €100m. pic.twitter.com/UOFTzWabjG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2023
With the midfield requiring major surgery, missing out on the £85.4m-rated centre-back was always going to be an expected casualty.
That’s not to suggest that another centre-half won’t be brought into the squad this summer, though fans can likely put aside any hope of landing a big-money defender in the same window.
Keeping in mind the need, ideally, for a third midfield signing who can provide cover for the 6 position, however, there’s every possibility that we could conduct something of a revenge mission by nabbing a former City star right under their noses.
Romeo Lavia, formerly of City’s academy setup, is understood to remain the subject of ‘concrete’ talks, with Jurgen Klopp a big fan of the Belgian.
Whether the £50m asking price Southampton are currently keen on can be negotiated down – and whether this will determine Liverpool’s ability to commit to the transfer – however, remains to be seen.
Still, just think of how glorious it would be to snap up a signing with the teenager’s ceiling who the Cityzens willingly let sold!
#Ep79 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Dominik Szoboszlai – a mix of De Bruyne/Gerrard/Zidane?
You’d think as someone claiming to be a journalist you’d have a better grasp of the language. “ …let sold” ! Have you been to school?
How is it revenge if we will be paying City who have a sell on clause for Lavia and they don’t need him back either?
Its’s win win all the way for City. Buy back if sign him next year, for £40M, able to match any fee and take now if they want, or get something like 20% sell on if City allow it to happen, then £10M from Anfield to City.
LFC are trying their utmost best given their lowest financial muscularity when compared to Man.City.But if they can at least get the services of a good defensive midfielder and a defender things cannot be the same as last season. Midfield is not the only area that needs attention hence the dire need of attaining a defender. Rome was not built in a day.Good work guys. “You will never walk alone”.
I do not think we need another midfielder before we need a Wing back (right) and an CBack. Would that be nice for us to be solid. We have 3 young midfielders who will florist playing with our 2 great new players an AA . What a team !!!!