Liverpool’s stock has never been higher both on and off the pitch. Now is the time to capitalise in the transfer market and identify the necessary recruitment that matches both the club’s ethos and key principles.
The Independent recently reported that plausibility and cost are the two determining factors behind a potential Liverpool transfer.
The Reds have meticulously seen a surgical amount of work done in the market in recent years – a net spend of around £74.5m since Klopp’s appointment in 2015 – as well as the funds generated from on-pitch success and inflating commercial gains.
With a recruitment agency as shrewd and formidable as Liverpool could the Reds be missing a trick when there is a potentially world-class player available at £50 million.
RB Leipzig have been a club Kopites have played close attention to since the arrival of Naby Keita and the growing interest in striker Timo Werner, however, there is another potential superstar in the team that Liverpool should certainly be paying attention to.
Dayot Upamecano has proven he is one of the very best young prospects in the game and his quality was evident once again in the top-of-the-table clash between Leipzig and Bayern Munich at the weekend.
The central defender nullified a prolific Robert Lewandowski, making eight clearances and four interceptions, while the striker managed just one shot on target which culminated in a clean sheet at the Allianz Arena following a 0-0 stalemate
The Mail have reported that Upamecano has a £50 million release clause in his contract, with Premier League rivals Arsenal keen in the youngster, along with Barcelona and Bayern.
MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 09: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig and Robert Lewandowskiof FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
One for the future
Whilst Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have established the most formidable central defensive partnership across Europe in recent months, the reality is that nothing lasts forever- especially in football.
Van Dijk is 28 whilst Gomez is 22 and the club will have to think about integrating a potential successor to the big Dutchman. Jurgen Klopp recently signed a contract extension to 2024 which means the German manager will be looking ahead to the inevitable transitional with the majority of Liverpool’s Champions League-winning squad in the peak years of their careers.
Liverpool are champions of the world and have showcased an unprecedented consistency in the Premier League to make the unsustainable seem ordinary.
The club are finally back amongst Europe’s elite meaning Liverpool cannot ignore one of the best central defenders in Europe considering their current status.
Werner was full of praise for his teammate and lauded him one of the very best young defenders in the game, he said: “I’ve not seen a faster centre-back, and Dayot has an unbelievable physique.”
At 21, Upamecano could be the long-term central defensive partner for Gomez with the two players just a year apart of each other. You can never have too many top-quality centre-backs and the Frenchman would benefit hugely from learning under the tutelage of the best in the trade.
Liverpool’s situation means they will have the pick of the bunch and Upamecano perfectly fits the Klopp mould of play.
Whilst defensive options may not be the main agenda regarding transfer priorities, when a player like Upamecano comes around you certainly have to pay close attention.