Aissa Mandi free transfer could save Liverpool reported £18m

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool want Aissa Mandi on a free transfer, according to reports. It’s a deal that could save them £18m.

A free transfer for Aissa Mandi isn’t exactly the transfer we’re hoping for. La Razon claims that’s what Liverpool want, though. He’s a 29-year-old centre-back at Real Betis and not an elite talent.

His age means Mandi won’t get much better, either. He’s a short-term signing to do a job.

And perhaps that’s all Liverpool need, at the end of the day. A permanent option in their squad, someone you break the glass for in an emergency.

The truth is, though, that Liverpool don’t have to do anything to improve their defence. It will just be better next season as the stars return from injury.

A fourth options has to be there after this season. Liverpool learned their lesson. That option doesn’t need to be a world-class signing, however.

Saving cash

If Jurgen Klopp still likes the Virgil van Dijk & Joe Gomez partnership, Liverpool need a third-choice at best. Now, ideally, that player would be a truly elite option who is young enough to become Van Dijk’s long-term replacement.

But what if that player isn’t out there for a decent price? We think Dayot Upamecano was that player but now he’s off to Bayern.

It may be that there is no great option.

There is an obvious option, though – Ozan Kabak. Liverpool can sign him permanently for £18m, per the BBC.

But they might not fancy that. Instead, they could sign Mandi for free to tide them over for a year. It saves them £18m and he can do a job.

That then frees up money for bigger signings elsewhere. If Liverpool want to replace Gini Wijnaldum adequately or introduced another elite forward, that money can be key.

Jadon Sancho is supposedly available for £87m, per the BBC. A spare £18m goes a long way to paying that, as it would for any deal.

There are links in Italy for Rodrigo De Paul, too. TuttoUdinese has his price at £35m – passing on Kabak for a free transfer pays half of that.

Perhaps this is the best option, then. Secure the defence with a free transfer, adding experience and adequate quality.

Then use the money saved to boost another area of the squad. Liverpool can afford to put their superstar defender hunt off for another year – Van Dijk and Gomez will see to that.