Sunday’s Transfer Roundup is significantly shorter than what we’ve had the rest of the week with only the faintest whispers to be heard.
It would appear that the deal for Sadio Mané is a case of when and not if with Liverpool on the brink of making yet another signing from Southampton. Klopp is looking to strengthen in wide areas with the club having a real shortage of wingers.
According to Ben Smith, accredited journalist from the BBC, it is likely that Mané will join soon with the hard work done already:
Mané will provide Liverpool with some much needed aggression and pace in attack. Last season Liverpool seemed somewhat impotent when getting forward, with the bulk of the Red’s midfielder’s preferable to cutting in. The Senegal international will hug the line and look to get in behind which has been missing since the departure of Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool will have to fork out £30 million to fund this deal and in order to make this deal hurt less the club is looking to offload some deadwood to recoup as much of the £30 million as possible. This may be done by selling Christian Benteke to Crystal Palace.
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It’s hard to deny that the bulky Belgian hasn’t had a poor first season at Liverpool and many think that the lanky number 9 should depart to seek better fortunes. His transfer from Aston Villa cost Fenway Sports Group a reported £32.5 million.
He was at the bottom of the pecking order even when Danny Ings was injured so if Mané is indeed incoming then there is very little room for Benteke.
The route that Liverpool may be taking is selling to Londoners, Crystal Palace. It would offer FSG a chance to recoup as much of their investment as possible while giving Benteke a chance to kick start his Premier League career at a club where his talents would be better served.
It is undeniable that Liverpool play in a manner which us unsuitable to the talents of a player like Benteke. Crystal Palace is destination which compliment him and suit Liverpool’s financial demands.
Very little news today, although it is Sunday. Enjoy the downtime as it will be back to the usual ridiculousness tomorrow. Cheers, folks.