Liverpool could make a big money move for Josko Gvardiol if they fail to sign Jude Bellingham this summer.
That’s the view of journalist Christian Falk. Speaking to Caught Offside today, the German journalist suggested that Gvardiol could be a target for the Reds if they ‘have the money spare.’
“It would be good for Liverpool if Josko Gvardiol stays another season as they can’t do two transfers like Bellingham and Gvardiol – they’d have to pay about €100m [£89m].
“Christopher Nkunku is going to Chelsea this summer, so Leipzig will be losing one player and getting a lot of money in return, which means there’s no need to sell another. There aren’t so many clubs that can pay the fee. If Liverpool fail to land Jude Bellingham and have the money free, they’ve shown previously that they’re willing to spend a lot of money on a defender.
“It could work out for Liverpool and it’s worth remembering that Jurgen Klopp is very aware of what’s happening in the Bundesliga, so I think he’d be keen.
“I believe Gvardiol would like to make the next step and will certainly consider his options if there’s an offer on the table. If a Premier League club wants to pay this kind of money in the summer, Leipzig’s position on the matter will change.
Different players for different things
We’ll be honest; this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Okay, in theory, Liverpool would perhaps love to sign both players, that much is true.
But right now, they have absolutely no need to spend quite so much on a defender. If worst comes to worst and the Reds lose out on signing top target Bellingham, they will have saved up to £140m in the market.
Most, if not all of must then be pumped into sorting out the Liverpool midfield. Armed with such a budget, Jurgen Klopp should be able to sign two or even three really top players. Right now, that’s a minimum requirement for Liverpool’s midfield.
As a result, some may be of the opinion that the Reds would be better off leaving Manchester City and Real Madrid to fight it out for Bellingham.
Should the 19-year-old’s price get too far beyond their means, that might be what Liverpool end up doing. In that event, there’s a whole list of potential targets they could go for.
Gvardiol may well be on one such list. But that should be on a completely different one, for defensive options. The Reds should start to tentatively look for replacements for the aging Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk. Summer 2024 would be a good time to do that. At that point, Gvardiol may be of interest. For now though, it’s full steam ahead on Jude.
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