The American Gerrard Transfer News and Rumors
Transfer Rumors and News 6/7/2020
By Jordan Gerrard
“The name’s Gerrard, Jordan Gerrard,” also known as “The American Gerrard!” I am taking on the mantle of American Scouser’s Transfer Guru. I have a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very short career, skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. I have an unhealthy obsession with Liverpool transfer news. I read all the articles, I listen to the podcasts. I sort through the bullshit so you don’t have to. It’s my pleasure to compile the crap and serve it just the way you like it, easy and with a less offensive smell! Over the last month, Liverpool Football Club have been linked with a number of world class players scattered across the globe. The transfer window is creeping up on us like a ground hog in February. When the teams around Europe emerge from their holes, will they see a shadow and be forced back into financial winter or will teams like LFC let in the sunshine? Today I am going to review and discuss some of the most recent players linked to our beloved Liverpool. We will talk about the big names rumored to be Liverpool transfer targets and the potential of losing one of our own.
I couldn’t start this article without breaking every Liverpool fan’s heart. Multiple sources including James Pearce of the Athletic are reporting Chelsea have agreed terms with long time Liverpool target Timo Werner. After all the drama, numerous stories about Klopp having personal talks, Timo flirting with LFC, and even this great article on American Scouser written by that Jordan Gerrard guy last week, sources claim Chelsea have met the release clause and Liverpool are refusing to match. Stories are emerging that FSG, Liverpool’s owners, may be concerned about their financial situation being severely impacted by the Corona virus effect on several of their sports franchises. FSG view Timo’s release clause as too high a price to pay for someone who may spend a large fraction of the season on the substitute’s bench. After the sale of Eden Hazard and two transfer less windows serving a ban, Chelsea have money to burn and a desperate need for attacking talent. I may be in denial but something tells me this isn’t done and dusted. A small glimmer of hope still remains, as RB Leipzig are denying any deal has been made with Chelski at this time. Stay tuned for more updates.
Kalidou Koulibaly, the Napoli defender frenquently linked with a move to the Premier league, has been… linked with a move to the Premier League…again. LeSport10 are claiming that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken to Koulibaly personally in attempt to bring the defender to Anfield. I don’t personally see this transfer happening as Liverpool already have Joe Gomez and Joel Matip competing to partner Virgil Van Dijk. Do we really need another record breaking priced defender? We’d all love to have another world class player among our ranks but in my opinion Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have done an outstanding job and we don’t need Koulibaly. The Italian league isn’t the Premier league and no one knows how good Koulibaly could potentially be in a different league. We have two tried and tested players we know can already perform at the needed level. At 28 years old, Koulibaly also doesn’t fit the mold of players Liverpool’s recruitment team look for. For me this transfer is not happening, but I don’t mind the regular links as it probably increases any price Manchester United or a number of our European rivals will eventually pay. I’d actually be happy to see him go to Newcastle.
Now for more on Mbappe2020 as Liverpool continue being linked with the most wanted player in European Football. As Liverpool fans, we all already know just how good Kylian Mbappe could be, playing under the master motivator Jurgen Klopp. We don’t need anyone reminding us. But in case you need someone to remind you, Former Bayern Munich defender and French International Willy Sagnol has joined the long list of retired professionals tipping Kylian Mbappe for a move to Liverpool. Sagnol recently stated he believed Jurgen Klopp could help make “Mbappe a King”. Sagnol believes Mbappe’s one weakness may be his ability to defend. Jurgen Klopp is a manager who demands a bit of defensive work from his attackers and playing for Klopp could bring a whole new dimension to Mbappe’s game. Sadly this is another transfer I just don’t see happening. I’d love to see Mbappe play for Liverpool but unless one of our amazing front three leave I can’t see us putting out the money for a transfer like this. I really love our currently players and it would be hard for me to let one of them go to make room (and money) for Mbappe anyways. Overall it’s great to hear members of the football community telling elite players to join our side. It shows how far we’ve come since the days of Balotelli and Borini.
That brings us to a player that may want to leave our side for a new challenge. Liverpool’s Swiss Winger Xherdan Shaqiri has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer to seek regular first team action. Soon to be Super Rich Newcastle United have supposedly inquired about signing Shaqiri. Liverpool have stated they will not stand in the way if Shaqiri looks to leave and could settle a nice profit after acquiring Shaqiri for 13.5 million pounds. Shaqiri’s time with Liverpool has been spent mostly playing as an unused backup to Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. But he’s always done the job when summoned off the subs bench. Could another season at Anfield give Shaq a chance to truly stake his claim in Liverpool super sub history? Whatever happens I will look back at Shaq’s career fondly and remember his goals against hated rivals Manchester United and Everton, or his creative contributions in the match against Barcelona. People often forget Shaqiri’s role in one of the most famous moments in LFC history. If he didn’t start walking towards Trent, who knows if the Corner taken Quickly would have fooled Barca.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio Liverpool have made an offer to Barcelona to take Osumane Dembele on loan next season. The deal would include an option to buy at the end of the season. Dembele has had a terrible time at Barcelona spending the majority of two seasons injured. Every transfer window reports claim Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of Osumane Dembele. Recent stories say Klopp views Dembele as a more natural talent then Timo Werner. When fit he’s definitely got more pace then Timo, but as far as natural talent Dembele has really yet to show us what he can do with a full season without injury in a long time. With Barcelona potentially desperate to unload Dembele he could be available on the cheap. In a loan move where we might not pay his full wages he could almost be a risk worth taking. But does Dembele want to play for Liverpool? I don’t think he will want to come to Liverpool. My gut tells me if he leaves Barcelona he will want to be ensured he’s first choice in the starting lineup wherever he goes, something that could be a stumbling block for anyone concerned about his injury record. With a wealth of attacking talent and many youngsters waiting in the wings, Klopp can’t promise Dembele regular first team action.
This upcoming transfer window is sure to be an interesting occasion as many teams assess whether they can spend the money needed to improve their squads. There is really no precedent for what we are dealing with trying to keep football safe from Covid 19. In some ways we are witness to history in the making… really lame history, where we had no football for nearly 4 months. Join me next time as we discuss a few other players who have come out of the woodwork waiting to be linked with Liverpool Football Club. I’m Jordan Gerrard, and as always I thank you for reading!