Here is the latest Liverpool-related transfer news:
Liverpool are set to sign Ragnar Klavan from FC Augsburg for a £4.2 million fee. The Estonian centre-back will come in to provide cover for Mamadou Sakho who is out for the foreseeable future with an Achilles tendon injury.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Klavan will come in after Liverpool’s defensive line suffered a series of injuries with Sakho’s Achilles injury and Joe Gomez’ missing out after he suffered an injury setback. The Reds’ defensive setup is looking worryingly thin.
As the Echo’s Neil Jones is reporting, Klavan will undergo a medical at Liverpool’s training complex tomorrow. The reason the deal is attractive from a Liverpool perspective is that the Estonian defender won’t demand a huge salary and perhaps most importantly he comes without an ego. In Klopp’s setup each player needs to operate as a unit and if a player is egotistical it is harmful to the cohesive unit that Klopp is trying to perfect.
What’s more, if necessary, Klavan can slide over into left-back if Alberto Moreno persists with his brain-dead tenedincies. This cost effective and versatile defensive option is preferable to forking out tens of millions just for a back-up defender.
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Another widely reported Liverpool target is Newcastle’s Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman could be on his way to Liverpool this summer with Jürgen Klopp thought to be a fan of his.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Liverpool are certain that they can convince Newcastle to let Wijnaldum go for £20 million. My gripe is not with the quality of the player but rather where he will fit in. Liverpool boast a plethora of attacking midfield talents and it is difficult to envision a starting lineup which will feature the Dutchman.
It could be that Wijnaldum’s arrival could signal the departure of a current Liverpool player. This is a fear that many supporters have with concerns that the Newcastle player’s signing could mean that Philippe Coutinho is on his way out with rumours recently talking up a transfer away from Anfield for the Brazilian.
Or, Liverpool fans’ concern is entirely misplaced and it just means that Klopp is looking for quality in depth and a player like Lazar Markovic could find his Anfield revival cut short. Whatever the rumours do mean will only become clear with time and there is no use in getting worked up just yet.
Klopp has a plan in mind and whatever he believes is best has my full support.
That’s all I can bring for you today, I hope you all have a terrific week. Cheers, folks.