04 Mar 2021 12:42:48
Lots of reports about summer targets being thrown around. Mainly to do with the midfield.

Are any of the Ed's aware in interest for Houssem Aouar or Rodrigo De Paul? I don't know much about De Paul but have been impressed with what I've seen from Aouar.

Other interest supposedly includes Bissouma, who I think is an excellent player.

I think if we lose Wijnaldum and perhaps Ox/ Milly two midfielders would be good business.

{Ed002's Note - The rumours will be because Liverpool seem to want to move Wijnaldum on.

Houssem Aouar (CM) Lyon were frustrated by Arsenal not taking a realistic approach to trying to complete the transfer of the player last summer and with PSG for failing to make a suitable offer. Having lost out on their primary CM choice there remains a small chance PSG could look to him again. With the impact of the broadcasting losses, clubs in France are facing a difficult time and Lyon may reduce their €60M asking price this summer to ensure a sale. Juventus interest has drifted as they have a preferred target in mind after failed offers including Federico Bernardeschi and Mattia De Sciglio. Real Madrid have been approached by his agent but have suggested that they would ideally want to offer a player in any deal. That won't suit Lyon so it might be difficult but is the preferred choice for the player. Barcelona were approached but they will not be in a position to do anything unless Frenkie de Jong is tempted away from the club.

Rodrigo De Paul (CM) Leeds remain very keen but well short of Udinese's €40M asking price. Inter have spoken with Udinese but will want them to accept at least one player as part of the transaction - or they will possibly turn to Wijnaldum. The player want to move to Inter. Juventus have enquired after De Paul as they are unable to sign their primary target but it has gone no further than that. Sevilla have shown an interest and can be discounted. I am not aware of any approach from Liverpool to Udinese.

Yves Bissouma (CM/DM) Brighton will resist any approaches. He shares and agent with Pepe who he spent a season with at Lille and the agent failed to persuade Arsenal to move for him - and since then they have signed Partey and a change in the decision process at Arsenal means any move is unlikely. He is another who would be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 and not Home Grown makes him less attractive to most English sides although Liverpool and Monaco have spoken with his representative. I am not aware of any approach to Brighton by Liverpool. Spurs have kept a watching brief.}

1.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 13:02:46
Thanks Ed002. Very helpful.

Whilst Bissouma seems the more realistic option of those three players would you have any idea of the potential fee Brighton would ask for?

I only ask because the asking price of both Aouar (irrespective of it is lowered) and De Paul seem very high. Not sure Liverpool will have the funds without any significant sales.

That being said are the club looking to offload any other players other than Wijnaldum?

{Ed002's Note - I doubt Brighton would be interested in Selling. Possible departures before the start of next season:
Adrian (G) out of contract
Loris Karius (G) will be sold for whatever the club can get.
Yasser Larouci (LWB)
Kostas Tsimikas (LWB) It has not worked out with talks held between his agent and both Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. I am not aware of any offers and the price would be a major problem for the clubs.
Marco Grujic (DM/CM) will be available.
Gini Wijnaldum (CM) His representatives say that Liverpool have not offered a suitable contract to him and he will leave if a new contract is not agreed. He has been offered to Barcelona again but Barcelona are dealing with other priorities (the election) at present but could still perhaps be interested in the player as a Free Agent. Inter Milan have asked his agent for an idea of what he would be asking - but he is not their first choice, although being a Free Agent makes him attractive to them and to others - possibly PSG who have two preferred targets but are not confident either will sign. He will have expectations in terms of the financial package (which I am sure will not be excessive) and in terms of the length of the contract - and Liverpool know what those expectations are - so it is up to them to offer something acceptable. To date they only seem to have dragged the matter out. Unless they plan on using Grujic to replace him they would likely need to buy a replacement and that won't be easy with money being tight.
Sheyi Ojo (RW) Championship fodder
Mo Salah (RW/F) could cash into fund transfers but there is no interest at this time after pricing himself out of a move with previous attempts to leave. His "representative" has again been doing the rounds this time also asking Bayern Munich and again PSG if they are interested. I suspect that Barcelona and Real Madrid may also have been approached again. Liverpool will look to a new contract.
Sadio Mane (LW/RW) It is just possible RM could look to Mane as an option.
Xherdan Shaqiri (RW/AM)
Harry Wilson (RW)
Liam Miller (F) will likely be sold once he returns from Charlton
Taiwo Awoniyi (S) Doing pretty well in Germany and a buyer will be able to be found there at the right price.
Divock Origi (S) Cercle Brugge are looking to Origi if they cannot persuade Chelsea to sell Ike Ugbo to them in the summer.
Roberto Firmino (S) Liverpool will look to upgrade at some point whilst he still has value – perhaps in 2022.}

2.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 14:57:49
Thank you Ed002.
With all these possible outs, who are our realistic targets in your opinion?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool will look to adding a CB (Kabak if he does well enough, else someone else from those previously discussed), a LWB if Tsimikas leaves - Larouci would be a good option at covered but is clearly not in the plans - but buying players as cover is always difficult), a CM player if Wijnaldum leaves (Grujic isn't in the plans - Bissouma would be a good option but another who is off to AFCON. Others have been mentioned but nothing is close to being firmed up. I expect a forward will also be added - whether there are others under consideration to those previously mentioned is not clear.}

3.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 15:35:54
Really good info Ed002. Appreciate it.

4.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 16:02:15
An surprised to see Kostas Tsimikas on the list eds2.

{Ed002's Note - It may be down to his agent and difficulties settling.}

5.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 13:56:30
Surprised Tsimikas has ‘not worked out’. he's had maybe two appearances and a lengthy spell on the treatment table. doesn't seem like he's been given much of an opportunity to impress.

6.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 14:02:10
Thanks very much. Lots of potential moves that could provide funds then I take it.

Surprised about Tsimikas. He looked fairly settled, despite not getting lots of game time.

7.) 04 Mar 2021
04 Mar 2021 19:55:50
Dont buy for cover. You buy better players than you have. The only way to continue to improve.

My wish list.

Konate/ caleta car
Zielinski/ camavinga

HAALAND.

Done.

Out Keita, gini, ox, origi, Shaqiri, Wilson, Matip.

8.) 05 Mar 2021
05 Mar 2021 08:07:47
Honestly can’t see us having the money to buy any top class players, unless we’re selling to buy, and at this moment in time we’re not going to get a lot for the ones we actually want to move on.

9.) 05 Mar 2021
05 Mar 2021 12:45:12
Hi Ed002 - seems like there could be a few outs this year, I am guessing the club won’t fall down the same trap it has with Grujic, Shaqiri and Wilson the last few years and overprice them again! Do we have any confirmed interest in any forwards in particular as it seems to have been quiet in that front other than Traore as mentioned in the past, and than the usual links and click bait regarding Mbappe elsewhere.

{Ed002's Note - The problem is that Liverpool have let the likes of Ings and Solanke leave and the interest is not there is giving Origi a run out – so buying players as cover remains an issue. For me the failure to replace Coutinho has hurt somewhat but Jones is doing well. Liverpool need to make a decision over Elliott as adding one of the favoured wingers in Traore or Sarr would hurt his career – and of course Sarr would head to AFCON. The other big issue is money – to make a significant impact money will need to be raised. If one of the primary forwards leave they will need to be replaced with younger players as much of the team will need a refresh over the next two or three years.
In terms of the attacking players that I know to have been looked at:
Isak Bergmann Johannesson (CM/AM/W/F) A versatile attacking player. I am aware he has been watched by Odense and Burnley on several occasions. Manchester United, Oostende, Liverpool, Inter, Juventus, and Brann have had scouts at games. The Burnley link will be because of his father. For Liverpool, I would forget him.
Michael Olise (AM/W) Reading want to keep the player until the summer but have already fended of approaches from Crystal Palace and Wolves. The player has said he would like to return to Chelsea at some point, but they have not made any approach. His brother is still at Chelsea. There have been scouts from Fortuna Düsseldorf, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Leeds, Liverpool and I suspect others looking at him. Would want game time assurances. For Liverpool, I would forget him.
Pedro Goncalves (RW/AM) Sporting say that there has been no direct approach from any other side about the kid but admitted to have had Spurs and Real Madrid scouts watch him. The suggestion of approaches from Manchester United and Liverpool seem wide of the mark at this time, although his agent says he has spoken with the former and there is interest. Perhaps in a couple of years a return to England might make sense but for now Manchester United do not seem to have the need with Fernandes in the AM role and €60M as cover for Liverpool is a great deal. For Liverpool, I would forget him unless Salah were to leave.
Adama Traore (RW) Liverpool interest it has not gone away and Adama Traore is not keen on a new contract at Wolves. If a move were to happen, one of the "front three" would certainly leave in the summer. To fund it Liverpool would either need Wolves to accept a payment plan again or they would have to borrow the money. As I have said before, Klopp really likes him and it is certainly a possibility.
Ismaila Sarr (RW/LW/F) is possibly available with Watford being relegated and Wolves have enquired after him - wanting to be kept informed just in case Adama Traore is sold. Crystal Palace have him on their list of potential Wilfried Zaha replacements, but he is not their first choice, although they could turn to him if their first-choice heads elsewhere. Liverpool are interested inasmuch as he is another player like Adama Traore that Klopp has had his tongue down the throat of, but whilst he would make a good replacement for Shaqiri consideration would need to be given to (a) would Sarr want to limit his playing time to that which Shaqiri gets, (b) he is not Home Grown, (c) he would block Harvey Elliott's progression, (d) he would cost £40M or thereabouts, and (e) like many players asked about, would depart for AFCON when it happens as he is Senegalese. I am not aware of any approach to Watford by Liverpool or Manchester United, but either club may have spoken with his agent. If Mane or Salah were to leave LIverpool, it makes a great deal more sense and would provide the funding. If Manchester United are done with Sancho it would be another option.
Jadon Sancho (RW/F) The amateurs at Old Trafford knew the situation yet still wasted everyone’s time during the summer. Reputationally, another disaster for them left the club looking at other options and not resolving the matter. His agent (and I use that in the very loosest of terms) has some extreme demands and has been trying, for the past year, to persuade Chelsea and Real Madrid to meet them. With Salah getting older there will be a push to look to Sancho as a replacement – but the cost may prove too much for the club and it appears very unlikely.
Ricky-Jade Jones (S) Liverpool are amongst several clubs interested in the kiddie. Would be a very good young buy.
Matthew Hoppe (S) American youngster has been advised to stay in Germany when Schalke likely sell him in the summer as it will be in his best interests. However, he has attracted interest from a number of sides including Spurs and the feeling is in the States that FSG might look to having him recruited for Liverpool as he is one of the up-and-coming American players. Certainly, clubs have been scouting him and recent form has been good. I don't see that he would be a starter for any of the leading clubs and unless paying well over the odds a Work Permit may be an issue in England.}

10.) 06 Mar 2021
05 Mar 2021 20:52:39
Ed002 - thanks for your insight and info as always, seems very much like the big three might stick around this year rather than us twist and cash in and bring in Traore/ Sancho etc. Regarding Goncalves what was the situation at Wolves with him, seems to be doing something very similar to Bruno Fernandes at Sporting according to some reports.

{Ed002's Note - He was young and wanted to play more so he moved on.}

11.) 06 Mar 2021
06 Mar 2021 12:18:05
I don’t think sancho is as good as an inform mane or salah but given our home grown issues and his age I think he’d be a decent replacement who under klopp could improve. Sancho and Elliot in and money raised from the inevitable departure of one of mane or salah and I think that freshen things up.

12.) 07 Mar 2021
07 Mar 2021 10:21:33
Would Aouar qualify as home grown?
Coming from the west country?