Liverpool could be prepared to put Diogo Jota on the market in a bid to raise funds for their summer overhaul.
That’s according to Football Transfers, who claim that the Reds would ‘demand’ £62m in order to sell the 26-year-old.
As a result of additional competition in the Liverpool squad, Jota has fallen down the pecking order. This could reportedly mean that the Reds look to cash in.
It’s claimed that Liverpool have a baseline budget of £196m this summer. With £106m of that reportedly put aside in order to sign Jude Bellingham, the remainder will go on the wider midfield and defensive rebuild.
Any funds raised from player sales will supposedly be put towards Jurgen Klopp’s transfer kitty. With Jota a huge saleable asset, he could bring in a good chunk of that. Others such as Kostas Tsimikas, Nat Phillips, Caoimhin Kelleher ands Joel Matip are also said to be ‘probably’ on the move.
However, there could be a wrinkle in Liverpool’s plan, if there is such a plan. Jota himself is said to be ‘happy’ at Anfield for the time being.
Jota still a key man for Liverpool
On the face of it, it would be pretty easy to laugh off a suggestion that Jota should be sold this summer. The Portugal international is still a key man for the Reds, as his recent injury absence underlined.
But on the other hand, if Liverpool do need to raise funds, he would be an option to do that. Having failed to score for almost a full year, maybe Klopp would decide to cut his losses and sell while Jota is still relatively young.
Weighing things up though, this just doesn’t feel like something Klopp would do. Although he may say otherwise, the manager is hugely loyal to his players. It’s highly unlikely he’d be willing to part with Jota on the basis of one lean, injury-hit season.
And, to be honest, nor should he. Regardless of whether Jota is in Liverpool’s best XI right now, he’s incredibly important to have around. A supreme finisher with an excellent goal record, he’s adds incredible depth to the squad. Darren Bent called him ‘brilliant’ and he has been since his move in 2020.
If Liverpool sold him, they’d only have to replace him all over again. With funds much more needed elsewhere, that would make no sense at all.