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!
We have been through quite a bumpy road since my last article. Liverpool went from winning 7-0 against Crystal Palace to putting on some miserable displays against lesser sides. It has been hard to watch as a Liverpool fan. Even Friday’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa’s U23s failed to inspire confidence with a sloppy display in the first half. Rest assured, I believe next week’s match against hated rivals Manchester United will truly be the game to get our engines going again.
Since the opening of the transfer window, Liverpool football club have been linked with a number of new impressive additions believed to fill the gap left by the injured defensive duo of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe “Joey G” Gomez. Joel Matip just cannot stay fit and many fans, including notable Liverpool fan and legend Jamie Carragher, believe Liverpool need to purchase a center back this month to see out their defense of the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp, cryptic as always, refused to rule out a signing but did admit he was not expecting Liverpool to sign someone this month, alluding to financial issues being the main set back.
It is very hard to really say if Liverpool will buy anyone this month. Jurgen Klopp was pretty persistent we would not be spending money in the summer and we still signed three players. In that spirit let us discuss the latest transfer news and rumors coming out this week.
We Bought a Botman?
First up on the transfer menu is the newest flavor of the month being linked with Liverpool football club, Sven Botman. Botman recently joined French side Lille from Ajax last summer, and after only 17 appearances in Ligue 1 he has supposedly got the Liverpool scouts’ interest. The entire French league is suffering financially at the moment due to the Covid outbreak causing the cancellation of the multi-billion Euro television contract as well as any matchday revenues.
Lille paid only around $8.8 million for Botman and may be desperate enough to accept a price somewhere in the region of $15 million for one the best defenders in France this season.
Transfer expert Duncan Castles claims Botman would be a considerably cheaper option for Liverpool than the likes of fan favorite and RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano. Castles claims discussions have already taken place between Liverpool and Lille over a deal.
The Express recently reported that Botman posted an interesting boomerang video on his Instagram story that got Liverpool fans a bit excited. In the video Botman was sitting in an office. He tagged his management agency Muy Manero in the story and posted a red heart emoji and a handshake emoji.
Despite these rumors, Botman is not currently a Liverpool target for this month or even next summer, according to reliable LFC news expert James Pearce. Botman sounds like a decent signing, but this player seems like another who might do with another season at his current team before making the leap to the Premier League.
All in for Alaba
According to Goal’s Juventus correspondent Romeo Agresti, Liverpool have made a last-attempt bid to beat Real Madrid’s for the signing of Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer. Early reports claimed Alaba favored a move to the Madrid over Merseyside.
Liverpool have apparently matched Real Madrid’s wage offer with a contract worth $13.5 million and at this point it is up to Alaba to decide where he fancies his future. Juventus were also interested but it is believed they cannot offer as much as Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano has stated that Liverpool and Real Madrid are just one of five clubs in contact with David Alaba’s agent over a potential transfer.
Personally, I do not know how credible the claims that Liverpool would match Alaba’s wage offer from Real Madrid are. However, I could see this being like the Thiago deal, where Liverpool may consider high wages and a low signing fee as a long term payment plan and alternative to signing someone for $50 million up front. Liverpool seem to be struggling with money to spend now and deals that can be paid spread over time might be their only option.
I like Alaba as a player for his versatility and attacking sense but he would definitely not be a replacement for Virgil Van Dijk. So Liverpool getting Alaba to sign a pre contract for next season might make a lot of sense long term as he could still bring something to our squad.
In the past I have read Alaba has always had an admiration for Real Madrid, and once stated his dream to play for the club. If he has a choice between Liverpool and Real Madrid, unfortunately I think he is picking Madrid.
Bringing in Bremer
Reports in Italy from Tuttosport claim 23-year-old Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer has attracted interest from Liverpool. Bremer currently plays for Italian side Torino. Back in November, the Liverpool Echo also listed Bremer as a player Klopp could be extremely interested in.
Now Corriere Granata journalist Matteo Pedrosi (via Sport Witness) is claiming there have been ‘requests’ via ‘intermediaries’ for Bremer. Those requests have supposedly come from England. More specifically Liverpool, who are understood to be ‘desperate’ to find a new center back.
It is worth mentioning though, that Everton are also know admirers of Bremer and the supposed interest may have come from the blue half of Merseyside, and not the red.
Wij-Never Ending Story
Make believe I’m everywhere, Given in the light. Written on the pages. Is the Answer to a never ending story. Oh oh oh oh oh Wij-never Ending Story!
Seriously, will there be an article where I do not discuss Wijnaldum and his contract saga? Talks over a new contract between Georginio Wijnaldum and Liverpool have supposedly hit a brick wall. An offer of a new deal remains on the table. But at the time of writing, the 30-year old Dutch midfielder has still not accepted it.
Current Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman remains interested in signing Wijnaldum, making him one of three believed targets to improve Barca’s current struggles. But currently that interest has not progressed into an official offer from Barca to either Wijnaldum or Liverpool.
Barcelona are currently in a time of uncertainty while they decide who the next President will be. There are rumors some potential candidates may replace Koeman as Barca manager once appointed. The general consensus is that Barcelona will not be spending any money on transfers until the President situation gets sorted out, and as such Koeman will not be receiving backing to sign any of his targets this month.
The Mirror and a few other sources are saying Georginio Wijnaldum has yet to decide his future. He reportedly wants to stay with Liverpool, and has not rejected the offer of a new contract, he just wants more money then what he is currently being offered. Wijnaldum believes his new wages should place him closer to the club’s highest earners.
So Long, Salah?
Last month Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah fueled speculation about his long-term future when he refused to rule out a future move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. In a recent interview in Spain, Salah admitted his admiration for the Spanish giants, calling them “two top clubs.” Many rumor rags were ready to sell stories of Salah’s Liverpool departure.
I decided to look into these rumors to dispel and Liverpool fan fears. Apparently, neither club really has any serious interest or the financial means to pursue Salah at this time.
It is true both clubs would probably love to have Salah. Real Madrid were very interested a few seasons ago. Fortunately for the Reds that has now changed, and Real Madrid are hoping to put all their trust in Galactico signing Eden Hazard, despite his poor first season at the club.
A move to Barcelona this month or in the near future is also hard to imagine, as they do not have the sufficient financial resources to pay for Salah. Their impending elections also make it difficult to predict if they will even want Salah in the future as potential Presidential candidates are promising a number of new mega money signings in the wake of a potential departure by Lionel Messi.
It is very hard to say who Barca will actually target this summer. One might argue funds may free up once Messi’s massive wages are off the ledger at the end of the season. If Messi does leave, the Catalan club may seek a new superstar to build the squad around – and many fans want this to be Neymar.
Mo Salah recently expressed his desire to stay at Liverpool and break all the records he can to cement himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest. That, and with the current uncertainty caused by the pandemic, I do not see him pushing for a move any time soon – or any club in Europe to have the money to make it happen.
There you have it – this week’s top Liverpool transfer news and rumor stories. As the month goes on, expect more new rumors to crop up. Only time will tell if the Reds will actually be active in the transfer window this month.
I think signing someone this month will be difficult, as Klopp has said every year many clubs are reluctant to do business in the January window. Liverpool will be looking for a deal they can make long term payment installments on, as money is tight.
Klopp has stated they will not panic buy or purchase just for the sake of it. If Michael Edwards does end up bringing in a new face this winter it may really be a testimony to his talents.
I am Jordan Gerrard and as always I thank you for reading!