Roma have shortlisted PSG’s Alphonse Areola and Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Patricio as two potential replacements for Liverpool and Chelsea-linked Alisson Becker.
With Loris Karius not meeting the grade required of a Liverpool goalkeeper after his performance in the Champions League final, the Reds are focussing their attention on signing a new no.1 this summer.
This is in spite of the fact that Loris Karius was diagnosed with a concussion. The injury was sustained in Kiev when Sergio Ramos elbowed him in the head.
Alisson seems to be the top target for Liverpool, with Jan Oblak also a person of interest but viewed as being more difficult to obtain.
And with Liverpool looking to get a deal for Alisson done this summer, it would appear as though Roma are identifying players that can replace Brazil’s no.1, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian news publication reports that Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Patricio and PSG’s Alphonse Areola are on a shortlist that Roma’s recruitment team has drawn up with the brilliant Monchi eyeing up both goalies.
If true, this is good news for Liverpool as it means that Roma have consigned themselves to losing Alisson and will open the door for the Reds to make a move for a player that will take the club to a new level.
Unlike Manchester United who’ve got David De Gea, Liverpool have had problems with goalkeepers for close to 10 years, with Pepe Reina the last world class goalkeeper to play for the Anfield outfit.
Signing Alisson would mean that Liverpool become a more realistic title contender, with a top goalkeeper key to winning a league title as Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City have all demonstrated in the last three Premier League seasons.
Liverpool would need to fork out nearly £80 million to sign Alisson and paying what would be a world record fee for a goalkeeper is absolutely crucial for a team on the verge of great success.