Liverpool will go for the cheaper options when signing a centre-back in the transfer window, according to reports. The Reds hope to save cash.
This comes from Bild. They claim that Liverpool aren’t quite as close to signing Ibrahima Konate as previously suggested elsewhere.
In fact, they may not sign the player altogether. Instead, they’ll likely opt to buy Ozan Kabak permanently.
There’s a simple enough reason for this, too – Kabak is cheaper. He’d cost around £18m, whereas Konate would be around twice that.
Liverpool would like to save money where they can after a season without fans. We imagine they’ll take into account a lack of Champions League football next season, should they fail to make the top four.
So when Liverpool shop for a centre-back in the transfer window, they may look to save some cash.
What RTK has to say
We don’t necessarily have a problem with Liverpool picking Kabak over Konate. But only if that’s because they think he’s the best option.
If the decision is literally just down to money, then we think it’s misguided. This isn’t a signing just for the now, after all. Both players are young – it’s a long-term decision to find a successor to Virgil van Dijk.
And Liverpool must make sure that player is right. Otherwise, they’ll end up spending far more on someone else as an immediate replacement.
The luxury now is that you can buy young and develop someone into the role. You can’t do that in a few years when Van Dijk slows down – you’ll need a ready-made star like the Dutchman was.
That costs a fortune.
Now there are reasons you’d choose Kabak over Konate. Maybe you just think he’s better, for one. There’s also the latter’s injury record to consider, as well as Kabak’s headstart.
So perhaps Liverpool end up deciding on Kabak as the better option. But that’s the reason to sign him – not just because he’s cheaper.