This window, the daves are only likely to address the burning platforms. Arguably the only things which might fall into that category are Roberto and the threat of relegation. IMO the the daves will already be happy that the latter will not happen. So it is only the Roberto situation they will definitely resolve I think. They might not even bother looking for a r/b if they think Johnson is close to a return and can deputise there. In theory even Reid could - he’s done it before. Pretty much all significant transfer activity then will shift to the summer IMO
From what I've read, it seems as though Middlesbrough want £4m for Darren Randolph, Stoke want £8m for Joe Allen, and Genk want £18m for Sander Berge. I think it's unlikely that we would spend £30m this month, particularly after spending record sums in the summer.
The only way I can see those deals happening is if we sell someone, and the only person I have seen rumoured with big money interest is Issa Diop.
I could potentially see us cashing in on Diop for £40m or so and investing in those players, but honestly I think it's more likely that we sign Randolph and then maybe bring in a loan or a free from elsewhere.
Sander Berge was heavily linked to Liverpool prior to the Jan window opening. Whilst it always seems we have several targets in the same position and low ball bid (then move on), if we genuinely want a decent potential def. mid. we need to step up. That said, if a team like Liverpool come calling there's not much we can do (outside of hoping a player sees a better chance of 1st team football with us). Short version = get on it!
Hey! I can ask for myself (or steal) if I want to :whistle:
I would have to take into account on any given season how well or poorly we were doing in the league and factor in how prices have been inflated to get a more rounded view.
This would severely cut into my time and resources plus limit my involvement in matters pertaining to Liverpool
Chap off Sky says Chelsea are very hopeful of signing a PL CB this window. The guy would not confirm who as he has been ‘sworn to secrecy’ but said it is a rival PL club, he is young & promising, would cost at least £50m, & all agents involved are very confident the deal will be done.
I doubt Leics would contemplate selling Soyuncu given their league position and so soon after flogging Maguire. The only alternative to Diop I can think of would be Ake. Theyve been linked with a buy back price for him and I think there's a time limit on it.
I'd have thought they'd be prioritizing forwards (Rudiger/Christensen/Tomori/Zouma/Azp can all play CB)
If it is Diop, maybe they'll attempt to part ex with Batshuayi :weep: (I have to go there at least once every TF window)
The Guardian (unusually slightly more reliable than other newspapers) says that the Gedson Fernandes deal has stalled, we wanted an 18-month loan deal with an option to buy but it seems that Everton, Man U, Lyon and AC Milan are also interested so Benfica might he hoping for a better offer.
As alternatives they offer Joe Allen (again), Sander Berge (again) and a new name, Marseille’s Morgan Sanson although with Marseille currently 2nd and chasing a Champions League spot I'm not sure why he'd be interested in coming here.
Randolph's transfer has also stalled because of the thigh injury that has kept him out since the end of November.
Finally they mention that we could try to loan Nathaniel Clyne until the end of the season and as he's not even been on the bench once this season he must be desperate to leave Anfield. Sad when you think that in 2016-17 he played more Premier League minutes than any other Liverpool player.
Sanson was linked in the summer, so not a new name for us, and not surprising the rumour as resurfaced. Reported to be valued at £30m, there's absolutely no way we're spending that this month, let alone on one player.
It's rumoured that we're trying to get both Fernandes and Gabigol on an inital loan with an option to buy. I assume Gabigol would be a six month loan and then he'll be our marquee signing in the summer, and and Fernandes would be an 18-month loan and then he'll be the big name in summer 2021. But I expect neither to happen.
Piatek was linked yesterday, but reports this morning are that Villa have bid £24m for him, which again we can't/won't compete with.
Clyne is coming off the back of a major injury and hasn't played competitive football since; it'd be a big risk but given that Liverpool are likely to allow him to leave on loan, I can see this one happening.
I don’t hold much hope in signing Fernandes. Benfica and the other Portuguese clubs are very good at selling players and they will make negotiations hard.
Listening to Ex's podcast at the moment. He's said Moyes is planning to go three at the back again against Sheff Utd, so if this is a long-term plan I'd be surprised if Diop was sold under his tenure.
Balbuena, Ogbonna, Reid and, at a big push, Cresswell would be our only CB options in that instance, unless the club have a replacement lined up.
I think playing a deep lying DM can be similar to playing an aggressive central CB in a 3. I like Rice more as a midfielder, but I think him playing in that central role wouldn’t take too much from his game.
Comments
So the message is pretty clear around the big money rumours surrounding Gabigol, Berge and Piatek...
The only way I can see those deals happening is if we sell someone, and the only person I have seen rumoured with big money interest is Issa Diop.
I could potentially see us cashing in on Diop for £40m or so and investing in those players, but honestly I think it's more likely that we sign Randolph and then maybe bring in a loan or a free from elsewhere.
I would have to take into account on any given season how well or poorly we were doing in the league and factor in how prices have been inflated to get a more rounded view.
This would severely cut into my time and resources plus limit my involvement in matters pertaining to Liverpool
Diop?
Either way I dont really believe the rumour
I'd have thought they'd be prioritizing forwards (Rudiger/Christensen/Tomori/Zouma/Azp can all play CB)
If it is Diop, maybe they'll attempt to part ex with Batshuayi :weep: (I have to go there at least once every TF window)
As alternatives they offer Joe Allen (again), Sander Berge (again) and a new name, Marseille’s Morgan Sanson although with Marseille currently 2nd and chasing a Champions League spot I'm not sure why he'd be interested in coming here.
Randolph's transfer has also stalled because of the thigh injury that has kept him out since the end of November.
Finally they mention that we could try to loan Nathaniel Clyne until the end of the season and as he's not even been on the bench once this season he must be desperate to leave Anfield. Sad when you think that in 2016-17 he played more Premier League minutes than any other Liverpool player.
It's rumoured that we're trying to get both Fernandes and Gabigol on an inital loan with an option to buy. I assume Gabigol would be a six month loan and then he'll be our marquee signing in the summer, and and Fernandes would be an 18-month loan and then he'll be the big name in summer 2021. But I expect neither to happen.
Piatek was linked yesterday, but reports this morning are that Villa have bid £24m for him, which again we can't/won't compete with.
Clyne is coming off the back of a major injury and hasn't played competitive football since; it'd be a big risk but given that Liverpool are likely to allow him to leave on loan, I can see this one happening.
Balbuena, Ogbonna, Reid and, at a big push, Cresswell would be our only CB options in that instance, unless the club have a replacement lined up.
If we bring in a couple of good CMs then potentially Rice could drop back, but I think that's an enormous 'if'.