Liverpool were working in the background to complete a deal for Moises Caicedo with Brighton.
The Reds made a concrete move for Caicedo last night, having seemingly come out of the blue to challenge Chelsea for him.
It was an incredibly surprising development to most of a Liverpool persuasion. But according to BBC Sport, the move wasn’t simply an opportunisitc grab from the Reds.
Instead, they claim that while ‘noise’ surrounded Chelsea’s efforts to sign Caicedo, Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan worked ‘quietly behind the scenes’ to bring him to Anfield.
Brighton reportedly had a figure in mind for the Ecuador international – widely reported to be around £100m. It’s claimed that Hogan’s approach ‘allowed Liverpool to get there.’ Whether or not Billy’s work will pay off still remains to be seen.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Hogan quietly going about his work
This is actually a really interesting nugget of information. It would suggest that Liverpool have been working on the deal to sign Caicedo for some time.
That would make sense, given the Reds have been linked with the Brighton man for long, long while.
Earlier in the summer, a deal seemed to be very much out of Liverpool’s reach. But after the sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, perhaps it suddenly become possible.
Then, as is their preference, it sounds like Liverpool got to work behind the scenes. With the focus on Chelsea’s drawn-out pursuit of Caicedo, nobody suspected the Reds.
This would explain why Brighton are supposedly more keen to sell the player to Liverpool.
Hogan is an affable chap who has the greatest respect of Jurgen Klopp. It’s easy to see him being well-liked by the Brighton negotiators who were determined to get their price. By contrast, Chelsea, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are like bulls in a China shop crashing about all over the place.
Ultimately, it seems that the bulls may get their way after all. But it won’t be for a lack of trying from Liverpool.