Liverpool FC have reportedly entered negotiations to acquire Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, signaling their proactive approach to bolstering their squad this summer.
Departures and arrivals
The Premier League team has already secured the signatures of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to offset the losses of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner.
However, the unexpected transfers of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia have created a potential need for further reinforcements.
Initially, Southampton’s Romeo Lavia was a primary target for Liverpool’s midfield, with repeated bids for the Belgian player.
Nevertheless, the focus has now shifted, as the Reds have made a £111 million offer for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, which has been accepted.
Yet, reliable sources indicate that Caicedo prefers a move to Chelsea, casting doubt on the likelihood of his transfer to Anfield.
The Valverde situation for Liverpool
Interestingly, Spanish publication Nacional reports that Liverpool’s attention has turned towards Real Madrid’s Valverde, whom they consider the ‘great victim’ of the possible arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Mbappe could significantly impact their finances, potentially necessitating the sale of Valverde or his teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.
While Liverpool were previously prepared to pay €100 million for Valverde, his performance last season has led them to offer €60 million.
Tchouameni sacrificed for Mbappe?
Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, reportedly requires a minimum of €80 million for Valverde’s departure, and Tchouameni could become a part of the ‘sacrifice list’ should Valverde remain.
Meanwhile, Mbappe’s situation at PSG remains unresolved, with the World Cup winner maintaining his desire for a free transfer to Real Madrid next year. Solhekol wrote:
“Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he will not leave the club under any circumstances this summer.
PSG’s position, therefore, has not changed – he will be frozen out and not play until his contract runs out next season.
Sky Sports News understands one point of contention is that Mbappe feels let down by the club’s transfer policy.
When he signed a new contract last summer, he was led to believe that Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva would be joining him in Paris.”
In conclusion, Liverpool’s strategic recruitment efforts continue to evolve, with Valverde emerging as a potential addition to their midfield.
The dynamics of the transfer market, including Real Madrid’s pursuit of Mbappe, are influencing the negotiation landscape.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Liverpool’s pursuit of the right players to reinforce their squad will undoubtedly keep football enthusiasts engaged.