The American Gerrard – Transfer News and Rumors
“The name’s Gerrard, Jordan Gerrard,” also known as “The American Gerrard!” You know about the “Welsh Pirlo”, you’ve seen the “Egyptian Messi”, but you never knew about the American Gerrard! When the American Scouser needed a transfer expert I was there to smash it in from long range with an absolute belter. What a hit son, what a hit!
This week was a whirlwind of transfer activity! When Liverpool decide to do business, they do business. I have to admit, I was starting to concede this would be a quiet window and the majority of my remaining articles would be debunking rumors. If you are wondering if I enjoy destroying hopes and dreams, I DO! However, it gets a bit repetitive writing that tired old line about the pandemic effecting Liverpool’s finances every week.
Michael Edwards has worked some magic in the past, completing some real steals and deals. This time it is as if he got bored of the regular challenge, so he decided I am putting this on hard mode. Give me a pandemic, no budget, all my deals got to be long term payments, lets see what I can do.
Michael Edwards….Bring me a dream…
Make him the quickest that I’ve ever seen.
Got our new lad for cash plus Hoever.
Just tell him Anfield nights aren’t over.
You have to hand it to Klopp as well, playing coy on Liverpool’s alleged interest in Thiago. Don’t get me started on the Diogo Jota signing coming out of nowhere. Combine Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards – that has to be one hell of a poker player.
Now that Liverpool have opened the transfer flood gates, could we expect anymore signings? Who else is being linked with Liverpool this week? The American Gerrard has got your back with the latest transfer news.
Thiago Deal Done and Dusted
After months of Klopp and Liverpool’s constant denial of interest in Thiago Alcantara, we finally signed him. Personally I was always skeptical of this deal actually happening but the way this deal refused to die, I never truly ruled it out. Apparently Klopp really did want Thiago.
Liverpool will pay Bayern Munich 5 million pounds up front and the rest in yearly 5 million payments totaling $25.8 million. An additional $7.7 million will be paid based on performance related achievements for the player and team. Thiago has signed a 4 year contract and is wearing the number 6 recently vacated by Dejan Lovren.
Typically Klopp waits to test new players. Naby Keita and Fabinho both waited months before getting their proper debut. Surprisingly Thiago was included on the bench for Liverpool’s match against Chelsea, days after his signing was confirmed.
Chelsea were reduced to 10 men due to Andreas Christensen’s red card right before half time. With the London outfit at a disadvantage, Thiago made his debut, replacing Jordan Henderson at halftime. It took all of 45 minutes for him to break the record for successive passes in one half with 75 completed passes.
According to Opta, since the start of keeping records in 2003, no player has managed more successive passes in an appearance of 45 minutes or less. In comparison no other Liverpool midfielder in the match even came close to matching Thiago’s 45 minute display. He did however give away a penalty.
We Gotta Jota
I am only going to speak briefly here of Diego Jota, the deal no one really saw coming. For a more comprehensive and in-depth article focusing only on Jota, you can check it out here.
Shortly after the confirmation and announcement of Thiago signing for Liverpool, rumors emerged that Liverpool were finalizing a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Portuguese winger Diogo Jota. According to reports, Liverpool were originally interested in Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, but Watford were unwilling to negotiate and wanted a strict up-front payment of around $52 million with no payment plan option.
Liverpool are looking to make shrewd deals this summer (as always) and quickly moved on to their next target, Jota. Wolverhampton were more willing to negotiate, especially due to their interest in Liverpool’s young right back Ki-Jana Hoever. The Wolves just sold first their choice right (wing) back Matt Doherty to Spurs, and with the new season upon us they needed some additional reinforcements/depth.
Micheal Edwards was able to work out a deal using Hoever as Liverpool’s down payment. Hoever will count towards $13 million of the fee owed for Jota, with the rest coming in installments paid over Jota’s five year contract with the Reds. The total price tag for will end up being about $47 million.
Please read my full article on Diogo Jota for more info on Liverpool’s new signing.
Kabak to the Future
A few articles back I discussed Liverpool’s potential interest in Schalke Defender Ozan Kabak. This week, Bundesliga journalist Chris Williams claims Kabak is top of Liverpool’s list to replace Dejan Lovren as fourth choice center back. Schalke has made it known publicly that none of their players are available for sale, but Williams claims their minds could be changed for an offer around $32 million. It is believed Schalke are currently in a tight financial situation and would consider selling their top talent for immediate compensation.
Liverpool have reportedly contacted Schalke to sound out a price for Kabak. He is seen as the right age and skill level to settle in as a backup at Liverpool. Long term development under Jurgen Klopp could see the player become a future star.
Famed statistics website Transfermarkt believe Liverpool will attempt to sign Kabak before the end of the transfer window. Personally, I really like Kabak: in my last article featuring the Turkish international, I went over some of the reasons he would be a good signing for Liverpool. However, after Fabinho’s performance as a center back against Chelsea, I am rethinking our need for another defender (Ed.: don’t be sucked in. Fab was brilliant but we don’t want to pull the same stunt City did with Fernandinho last year!).
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip do not have the best injury record, and even with Fabinho’s emergence as a first choice center back, it was worrisome to see our bench devoid of an additional senior center back option. This might inspire Liverpool to move for Kabak while a decent deal can be made. I wonder if Schalke will accept a payment plan?
An Ox in the Wolves Den
Thiago Alcantara’s arrival at Anfield may have pushed a few fan favorites down the ladder in the pecking order. One player being linked with a move away from Liverpool is English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. According to The Mirror, Wolverhampton Wanderers may be interested in doing a bit more business with Liverpool Football Club. Ox is currently on the injured list after missing the club’s preseason with a knee injury. Going along with the report, Liverpool would expect a minimum $35 million for Ox.
As much as I believe Wolves’ interest in Ox could be legit, I don’t see Liverpool letting him go, nor do I see Ox pushing for a move away at this time. During Ox’s career at Liverpool, he has been plagued by unfortunate injuries. Liverpool have remained patient with Ox and even gave him a contract extension after Ox spent a season out with serious injury. I do not see Ox leaving.
Dump Dembele
Spanish outlet Sport claim Liverpool have made contact with Barcelona about a loan move for French Forward Ousmane Dembele. Dembele has struggled with hamstring injury since last November. Prior to that he was struck down long term with another serious injury. His time at Barcelona has been overshadowed by time on the injury list. The deal would include Liverpool covering Dembele’s wages and paying a small fee for the loan.
I do not see this deal happening. Klopp is a known admirer of Dembele, however there are many reasons why I do not think Klopp will ever pull the trigger on bringing him in. Dembele is know to have attitude and disciplinary issuers, such as not showing up to practice, coming home late from international duty. I do not think Klopp would put up with that, nor that Liverpool would be interested in a player with so many injury problems. Additionally, it is rumored that Barcelona will only accept permanent deals for transfer listed players as they look to raise funds for Koeman’s rebuild.
The main reason I don’t think we will sign Dembele is that we just signed Jota. It seems pretty obvious that we probably will not sign another attacking player – the first was surprising enough.
Recap
I do not think the rumors will truly end, despite Liverpool finally satisfying the fan base and dipping their toes in the transfer market. Liverpool have made smart acquisitions based on areas that needed reinforcements with a minimal budget. My honest opinion: I think we may be done spending.
If the right deal can be made for a fourth-choice center back, then we could make a move. Otherwise, I do not foresee anymore incoming players this window. I still expect to see at least one or two players leaving the club though. I will still be here to ruin your hopes and dreams of outlandish signings and I will do my best to keep you updated on the latest Liverpool transfer news and rumors.
I’m Jordan Gerrard, and as always, I thank you for reading.