Liverpool’s January transfer window is likely to end in disappointment as the Reds hold off on making any new additions.
If ever there were a winter market that needed to be utilised, it felt like this one for Liverpool. But despite a clamour for defensive and attacking signings, it is all quiet at Anfield.
With two weeks left in the window, Liverpool are not alone in that, however. It has been a surprisingly quiet window throughout the Premier League.
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Nevertheless, there are still one or two eye-catching deals to be done, with Bournemouth’s move to snap up Brazilian talent Rayan Vitor a particular highlight.
As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bournemouth are in talks to sign Rayan from Vasco da Gama for a fee of around £30m in a move which should have the interest of Liverpool supporters.
Liverpool will be watching Rayan at Bournemouth
Liverpool have been linked with Rayan numerous times over the past year as the 19-year-old begins to blossom in Brazil.
Vasco manager Fernando Diniz has labelled Rayan as a ‘special’ talent and he displayed that to full effect last season, scoring 20 goals across all competitions.
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Sadly, this has not been enough to encourage Liverpool to make their move, but they will no doubt be watching on with interest as Rayan joins Bournemouth.
The Cherries tend to operate with excellence in the transfer market, and although there is no guarantee that Rayan will flourish, it looks like a brilliant place for him to develop and learn the English game.
If he can hit the ground running over the next 18 months or so, it would not be a surprise to see him move on to a bigger club. Having clearly made his way onto Liverpool’s radar already, the Reds will likely be in the mix when that does happen.
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Reds take expensive gamble on Rayan
One criticism of Liverpool’s transfer approach in recent years has been their unwillingness to gamble on talent in South America.
At £30m, Rayan would be one of the more expensive punts, and Bournemouth must be completely convinced of his quality to spend such a high sum.
However, there is a huge upside for the Cherries here. If the teenager kicks on as expected, they will likely stand to make at least double the fee they paid in a couple of year’s time.
That is where Liverpool would come in, and while it is understandable that the Reds want to see these kinds of talents prove themselves at smaller clubs before making the step to Anfield, it is also a ploy which costs them heavily.
Had Liverpool moved to compete with Bournemouth for Rayan this month, they would surely have got him. Instead, they could be made to pay significantly more in the future.
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