02 Jul 2024 21:54:55
Good Evening Ed002,
If I may ask your opinion on our current targets in particular the inquiry for Gordon. It seems a strange choice to me even if Diaz leaves as we surely would be looking at someone more versatile considering we have players to play on the left and Gakpo showing how good he can be. Nevertheless and apologies for rambling on but do you believe this is a legacy target from scouting the past year or an opportunistic enquiry to see if we could get a deal done when Newcastle needed cash? I know you are not a mind reader I would just appreciate your opinion.
Thanks again Ed002.
{Ed002's Note - I agree that with Jota and Gakpo, adding someone versatile would make the most sense - and the club have been looking at such solutions. I was surprised that the club are keen on Gordon. Chiesa might provide a good versatile solution. Plan B could be to look to a predominently right sided played knowing that Salah will need replacing at some point.
Rodrygo Goes (RW/S) Real Madrid have no interest in selling but PSG did ask for him as part of a deal for Mbappe before he let his contract run down. Many Liverpool fans think there is some sort of pre-contract to join them, but of course their isn't. He agreed a new contract at Real Madrid and won't be moving anytime soon unless something like €120M offer is made or he could perhaps be offered to Liverpool in an exchange for Alexander Arnold. There will always be interest in him and with Mbappe arriving he may need to make his way back to the RW position - although the wide positions are areas where Real Madrid want more depth.
Pedro Neto (RW/LW) Versatile and looking to move on. Agent has been approached by Manchester United, who will need an Antony replacement, and Arsenal. Agent has also approached Liverpool who will likely need a replacement for Salah - and Neto fits the bill of a lift footed RW although was not first choice for Klopp, he could become so now Klopp has gone. It is unclear why Arsenal are so keen and they clearly have other priorities, but they are. Juventus fear losing young left-footed RW in Matias Soule and may look to Neto. Spurs are another side who may look to Neto but a move seems less likely - as does a move to Newcastle who are a less attractive option. Prior interest of Manchester City has gone with the emergence of Phil Foden. May be wanted in the Middle East which would push his value up. I would expect Wolves to now look for perhaps more than £50M for him. Arsenal will push.
Federico Chiesa (LW/F) A third party has informed Juventus of possible interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with sanctions this may lead Juventus to consider a sale, although they would prefer a new contract. Spurs, Newcastle, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal interest seems to have gone although Napoli could return depending on departures. Aston Villa interest will go nowhere. Liverpool would be an option but it seems unlikely as they seem well stocked for versatile forwards, particularly left-sided forwards, but if Diaz departs he could become the likely first choice replacement. Roma or Spurs are likely to try and get agreement early on. Seen as a Felix replacement by Atletico. Ongoing injury concerns but a one year extension to his contract will allow his agent and Juventus to negotiate next season - and I suspect that will happen, although Juventus will be nervous about him departing as a Free Agent next summer and could simply opt to move him on now.
Leroy Sane (W) Having a terrible season but Bayern Munich are open to a new contract whilst the player will want to talk with the new Head Coach will be. Middle East might be a viable solution with Al Nassr. Liverpool were keen to take him as a Salah replacement, but I would suggest that he is no longer an option.
Raphinha (RW/LW) Has struggled to displace Dembele or Ansu Fati on a regular basis and will be sold if Barcelona can recover the fee they paid for him, else they will keep him. Newcastle may be an option. Even Arsenal perhaps. I am not aware of Liverpool making any approach but they have been interested in the past - there would be better Salah replacements out there. I expect Al-Hilal will push via Emanalo but he is not so sure I am told.
Nico Williams (LW) No.
Momodou Sonko (LW) Scouts from across Europe have been impressed with the youngster including Barcelona who may look to taking him in to their academy. Obtaining a Work Permit for England might be difficult but Arsenal, Liverpool and Leeds have sent scouts.
Takefusa Kubo (RW/LW) Move has worked out well for him. Real Madrid may look to invoke their buy-back option which is about half his buy out clause. This season is going well for him and I doubt he would want to return to RM. Manchester United and Liverpool have sent scouts but neither has declared an interest with his club and the player has signed a new long term contract with a €60M buy out clause. This has not deterred Spurs looking towards a deal.
Assane Diao (LW/RW) No.
Matias Soule (RW/LW) No
Anthony Gordon (LW/F) I find it very surprising that Liverpool have indeed enquired after Gordon as an option ahead of others they have been considering as a Luiz replacement including Federico Chiesa. Newcastle may be open to a sale if the player pushes - which he may do considering the circumstances he left Everton under. There is no indication, beyond an initial enquiry, how far any discussions have gone nor the potential structure of any deal.
Crysencio Summerville (RW/LW) Leeds have no interest in selling but his agent is looking for a step up and speaking with clubs about him - he has certainly approached Chelsea and Spurs and I suspect others. Bayer Leverkusen have spoken directly with Leeds. Agent is close to Aston Villa and the City Football Group. Any move will likely depend on promotion being gained or not. Leeds will look for a new contract. I am not aware of Liverpool making any approach yet but I understand Slot is a fan of the youngster from advice given to him by Sipke Hulshoff who knows him well. If he were to replace Salah, there has to be an element of risk but he may become first choice.
Omar Marmoush (S/LW) Eintracht Frankfurt have no intention of selling the player who only joined last summer. His agent says there is interest from Newcastle, Spurs and possibly still Brentford. Apparently noted by Liverpool scouts when watching another player. Advantage would be his versatility but I can’t see it happening.
Maximilian Beier (S/F/W) No.
Mohamed Amoura (S/LW/AM) Versatile Algerian who Lille see as a Jonathan David replacement. Liverpool have sent scouts and if Luis Diaz departs he will be seen as a good option to replace him. Marseille and Wolfsburg have also spoken with Union Saint Gilloise. Scouts have been sent by West Ham and Newcastle. A wildcard might be Brighton.}
03 Jul 2024 09:37:41
Marmoush is really a very good player, not sure if he's ready for such a big step up but I do think he looks a real handful for Eintracht and his combination play with others is also good. Super direct player who can press, very fast and can take defenders on one on one, good first touch and decent with both feet, can stay out wide on the left wing or play as an inverted forward or even through the middle. The best thing about him is that he's always looking to score, he just heads in the shortest possible route towards goal, he has the athleticism to get that small bit of space and separation to shoot with either foot, a bit reminiscent of prime Mane.
Chiesa is a great player when fit, is very positive with the ball, but the injury issues have to be a big concern I'm sure, would avoid for that reason unfortunately.
03 Jul 2024 10:58:55
Thanks for your reply and I appreciate the low down on current possibilities. I will assume Liverpool were testing the waters with Gordon assuming they could get him for a good price and the Euphoria on social has made it grow legs.
{Ed002's Note - No I don't think so. I suspect they are more serious than that.}
03 Jul 2024 11:32:15
Thanks as always Ed002 for the informative post. Just noticed Bakayoko is not on the list; have the club moved on from him?
{Ed002's Note - He is not a LW. He would be an option to replace Salah, not Diaz.}
03 Jul 2024 11:34:00
Fair enough Ed002. Thanks.
03 Jul 2024 14:53:06
I read that Nico Williams is a target Ed and that he would be agreeable to the move. What makes you think he’s a hard ‘No’?
{Ed002's Note - He wants to move elsewhere.}
04 Jul 2024 00:34:45
I want a night with Margot Robbie but if Scarlett Johannson came along I wouldn’t say no.