RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer has told Liverpool that he intends to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer next summer.
That’s according to The Daily Mail’s transfer tracker (01/09/22 08:17). They report that Liverpool wanted Laimer to add a ‘physical presence’ in midfield following Thiago Alcantara’s injury last month.
However, the 25-year-old has reportedly turned down Liverpool’s approach. Instead, Laimer is said to have ‘indicated’ to The Reds that he will run his contract down before joining Bayern in 2023.
The final nugget of information is that the signing of Laimer, or another midfielder, won’t ‘cut across’ Liverpool’s plans to sign Jude Bellingham.
Laimer slipping through Liverpool’s grasp
By now, it’s clear that any hope Liverpool had of bringing Laimer in today is dead in the water.
That’s a shame, because the Austrian is a fine player. Even though they can’t get him now though, a free transfer move next year would still appeal.
There’s still a year to go before that becomes a possibility. A lot can happen in a year in football. Unless Laimer is absolutely convinced by Bayern, maybe he can still be turned.
It’s likely that the chance to work with former manager Julian Nagelsmann is the major appeal for him. But a player who’s work-rate was once described as ‘crazy’ could also be perfect for Jurgen Klopp.
Alas, if Laimer has his heart set elsewhere then Liverpool have to make sure other options are properly assessed.
The clock is now ticking on their chance to get a new midfielder through the door. Laimer had seemed like a good opportunity for Liverpool, but they must now focus their attention on other targets.
There’s still time, but not much of it. The realistic option looks like Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz. Let’s see if any other names crop up between now and 11pm.
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