In today’s roundup we learn of Liverpool’s interest in Jeremy Mathieu and we get the latest updates on Piotr Zielinski and Jon Flanagan.
Liverpool are keen to bring Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu to Anfield with the Frenchman’s chances of regular football next season threatened by the arrival of compatriot, Samuel Umtitti.
Le Parisien, via Mundo Deportivo, are reporting the Reds’ interest and claim that Jürgen Klopp could make a move to sign the out of favour defender. Liverpool are short on centre backs with Kolo Toure leaving the club after his contract expired, Martin Skrtel’s £5.5 million sale to Fenerbache and Joe Gomez’ unfortunate injury setback.
The article from the French news outlet mentions that Besiktas are also interested but that for Mathieu,” the chance to play in the Premier League is an option that is hard to turn down.”
Since arriving in 2014, the Frenchman has been playing second fiddle to ex-Red Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique. If he was to complete a move to Liverpool he would be competing with Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and new-boy, Jöel Matip for a starting berth.
The defender is 32 years old however, which means he wouldn’t have a very high resale value which could make this deal unattractive for Fenway Sports Group.
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If I was ever to choose a Barcelona player to sign for Liverpool it wouldn’t be Mathieu, you know who it would be. That being said, he is extremely effective in defence even if he’s not overly graceful on the ball.
Despite speculation surrounding Jon Flanagan’s future at Liverpool, the fullback is staying at the club. There were reports that the Scouser could join Brendan Rodgers in Scotland but Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo has reported that Klopp wants to keep him at Liverpool.
Flanagan’s Liverpool career has been broken up by a horrible spell of injuries. His return last season was recognised with a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful. The ‘Scouse Cafu’ was part of the team that went so close to winning the league title in the 2013/14 season and who knows, could he be part of a similarly successful team this season?
I’d keep him on purely for the way he demolished Raheem Sterling at Anfield last season.
Piotr Zielinski is a name that has been floating around Liverpool for weeks and not once has the name been uttered with a tiny bit of confidence. It would seem as though the midfielder has made a decision over his future – while not announcing it.
“We know that many offers reached Udinese for Zielinski. We’re talking to [Giampaolo] Pozzo and the interested clubs,” he said.
“It’s true [that Liverpool have been tracking the player] but I don’t like to talk about negotiations in the papers.
“We’ve decided, but it’s a secret.”
He could still sign for Liverpool but the chances are with the rumours in the last few days is that he will more than likely sign for AC Milan.
The only reason to be upset that this deal won’t go through is because Klopp wanted him. If Zielinski is rated by Klopp then he must have potential.
That’s all we have for you today. Enjoy the game later – come on you Redmen!