The weekend is on the verge of winding down, but as usual there is no indication that there will be a cease to transfer rumours, especially where Liverpool is concerned.
Liverpool have been reported as interested in signing Newcastle’s Georginio Wijnaldum. It was initially believed that the talented creative midfielder would cost the Reds up to and no more than £25 million. The Daily Mirror is reporting that Rafa Benitez is looking for an extra £5 million up front.
The Magpies’ boss was looking to sell Wijnaldum for £10 million and Jordon Ibe as makeweight. However, Ibe’s impending move to Bournemouth for £15 million rules that out. Liverpool would rather receive the cash and Ibe would rather play in the Premier League, so Newcastle have resorted to asking for £30 million outright.
Both Everton and Tottenham are said to be interested in acquiring Wijnaldum’s services ahead of what is likely to be a blockbuster of a Premier League season. It seems as though wherever you look teams are either reinforcing the ranks, signing top-class managers or even both. Wijnaldum is a player whose talent cannot be squandered in a league as lacking in technical quality as the Championship. As such, he is hot property and turning many heads.
Spurs have already made enquiries about Wijnaldum’s availability and their interest is of particular concern if Liverpool are genuinely interested in the Dutchman. With that in mind it is also important to consider Liverpool have already spent £34 million on Sadio Mané and are unlikely to splash the cash again.
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Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, are reporting that Anderson Talisca has told friends that he is keen on a move to Liverpool. While we have heard this sort of claim many times before both the Metro and the Independent have added their voice to the rumours with the Metro stating that Talisca “is anxious to join Liverpool.”
The news of Talisca’s apparent burning desire to join the club has resulted in rumour’s concerning Piotr Zielinski dying down substantially. At one point the Poland international seemed as close to a Liverpool move as possible, even appearing in a Reds shirt in a video.
In order to obtain Talisca’s services for next season Liverpool will have to fork out £25 million. The Liverpool Echo have even reported that Liverpool have contacted the FA to see if a work permit can be sourced for the Brazilian. If this is true then a move for Benfica’s number 30 is very close and could be completed within a week.
According to Whoscored.com, Talisca has scored 20 goals in 76 appearances for the Portuguese outfit and has earned himself a call up to Brazil’s squad for the Olympics. Therefore, if Liverpool do sign him he will miss the opening weeks of the season.
And, in my favourite news article of the day, James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo has reported that Liverpool are no longer interested in Mario Götze. It may seem very short-sighted to be happy about not going after a world-class talent but Götze had his chance to join Liverpool and didn’t take it. Any player who doesn’t want to play for the club is a player that I don’t want.
According to Pearce, Klopp is happy with his attacking options and having already spent big on Sadio Mané another splash could is difficult to predict.
The German attacking midfielder has been linked with a move back to the Westfalenstadion as Dortmund are reportedly interested in a reunion. Tottenham are also interested but a return within Germany seems more likely.
That’s all I have of worth for you today. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend – I know nobody likes Mondays. Cheers, folks.