Liverpool are claimed to be actively looking to sell one of their famous forward line this summer. This comes courtesy of the “The Transfer Window” podcast (9mins 48secs).
The two hosts are journalists Ian McGarry and Duncan Castles. They report that Jurgen Klopp is ready to part with one, or possibly more, of Liverpool’s attacking jewels this summer.
“Klopp and the club are willing to cash in on one of their front three, who of course were absolutely central to them winning both the Champions League and the Premier League title,” said McGarry.
“They’re doing this for two reasons: One, because the three players, Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane, are coming to a stage in their career where their value will only decrease because of their age.
“But also because Salah is the only one now performing at a level consistently that can justify the kind of contract that he and his representatives are asking for.”
To sell or not to sell
Castles added a little more information. He claims that Liverpool are now “actively marketing” both Mane and Roberto Firmino.
“They’re now actively marketing two players now that they have Diogo Jota well established in the line up and now that they’ve recruited Luis Diaz,” said Castles.
The journalist also thinks that the signing of Diaz has given Liverpool an upper-hand if they can’t find buyers for the two players and wish to extend their contracts instead.
“I think that strengthens their hand in that it puts pressure on Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. It weakens those two players’ negotiating positions in trying to get renewals should they not find clubs they’re wanting to go to,” he concluded.
It remains to be seen whether there is a market for either player. A lot of the bigger European sides are still struggling to recover from the financial hit of Covid. Whereas a move to another Premier League club would be unthinkable.
A lot of fans will still hold out hope that both players will remain at the club and sign new deals. Although their output has waned recently, they have both been massive players for Liverpool in a successful period.
There is an argument that Liverpool should forgive any dips in form and offer the player reduced terms as they transition into squad players.
But Liverpool run a tight ship regarding contract renewals. There is little room for sentimentality, as Gini Wijnaldum found out last year.
It would be wrench to lose any of the fabled front three. But perhaps the time has finally come.
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