Liverpool want a defender in the final few days of the transfer window, according to reports. But they hope to do it in one of two ways.
This comes from the Athletic. They say that Liverpool want a defender before the transfer window closes, giving them just a few more days.
They’re far from the only ones saying that, either. The Times, the Telegraph and the Mirror all claim the same thing.
The Athletic, though, believe that Liverpool will try to go for a loan or a free transfer to make it happen. Those are their preferred options – this will be a low-cost pursuit.
A permanent transfer for a long-term target could happen, though – but it’s very unlikely. Those players don’t appear to be readily available right now.
Instead, this is a stop-gap situation. Someone who can come in and help out over the next few months before leaving the club again.
What RTK has to say
No, Liverpool won’t get a great player for that but it would mean they don’t need to sacrifice any summer plans just to get someone in now.
The Athletic report that Issa Diop could be a loan option. West Ham United, though, aren’t keen on just letting Liverpool have him. They’d want a £20m obligation to buy him in the summer.
But that defeats the whole purpose, really.
As for a free transfer, that could be Shkodran Mustafi, if Arsenal release him from his contract. Whether he’s even good enough is debatable, though.
But Liverpool will need to take chances and settle for certain things if they want to go the low-cost route. There’s no getting around that.
It’ll be tough at this point in the window, with Liverpool’s desperation only making that worse. Teams know the Reds are in the market out of necessity and can perhaps ask for a little more than usual as a result.
West Ham appear to be trying that. Perhaps any free transfer would, too. Liverpool really haven’t made it easy for themselves waiting this late.
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