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!
If you read my articles regularly then you may remember where I spoke about Georginio Wijnaldum’s free transfer to PSG. In the article I discussed Wijnaldum’s cryptic comments promising to reveal the real reason behind his decision to leave Liverpool. According to Wijnaldum it was not about wage demands or contract length but rather, the abuse he received from fans online. If he didn’t like the abuse he suffered online he probably should have just kept his mouth shut.
Over the last season, with questions surrounding Wijnaldum’s future, Wijnaldum calims that he felt supporters found reasons to solely blame him for defeats during a disappointing season. That his loyalty and commitment were often called into question. This fan abuse, as he described it, factoring into his decision not to accept any deal Liverpool offered him to stay at the club.
I don’t want to hurt Georginio’s feelings but that is a load of horse shit. Every team has fans online that will criticize you when you play bad or threaten to leave the team. If he thinks he will get better treatment at PSG he is dreaming. When Mbappe leaves either this summer or next that house of cards is going to fall apart and any new signings will be the first to blame. Good luck with that Mr. Wijnaldum. It should be noted that there is plenty of noise, claiming that the quotes about social media were taken out of context in a rather lengthy interview with the Echo. Let’s hope that’s the case.
What is Happpening with Hendo?
This week the rumor mill exploded with “news” that our beloved Captain Jordan Henderson could leave the club this summer. Reports from James Pearce of The Athletic claim that Liverpool and Jordan Henderson opened contract talks immediately following the end of last season. Unfortunately, there have been no real updates on the situation. Supposedly this has resulted in Jordan Henderson giving Liverpool a set of demands, that if not met, will see him request a transfer this summer.
According to David Maddock of the Mirror, Jordan Henderson has given Liverpool a list of demands.
– The club to make it clear if they want him to stay
– If he is not valued by Liverpool, to have an immediate transfer away from the club
– Avoid a situation that sees him leave on a free transfer like Georginio Wijnaldum
– Refuse to drag out talks
– Insist his value to the team is reflected in any new contract
Not to be outdone, Dominic King of the Daily Mail, shoved out “news” that PSG (Mauricio Pochettino is a known admirer) and Atletico Madrid are “keen” on Henderson should an agreement not be reached. There is also the prospect of Henderson being reunited with former teammate and friend Luis Suarez. However, just as many sources are reporting that it is highly unlikely that the Liverpool captain will be allowed to leave the club this summer. That is assuming he would even want to.
According to Neil Jones who is the Liverpool FC correspondent for Goal, it is unlikely that Henderson will leave this summer. Jones has reported that Henderson will not even request a Liverpool exit.
Allow me to explain a potential scenario. There is really no confirmed Liverpool in-comings at the moment. Transfer news is a bit slow. Writers can be creative. Jordan Henderson could possibly be the last player to return to training due to his involvement with England in the Euros. He is getting older and he has not signed a new contract yet.
He’s an easy target for rumor. None of these original articles breaking the Henderson stories are even citing a real comment or event that has happened. It is all speculation, at best. Henderson has a couple years left on his contract and could end up leaving for free if he is not offered the right deal. You could say this about a number of our players. But there is no indication at this moment that anyone wants to leave.
I wouldn’t panic about Hendo just yet. He doesn’t seem like the type of player or person who would argue over taking a pay cut or reduced game time. Let’s talk more about this next summer, assuming he does not sign a new contract before then.
The Italian Agenda
This week Liverpool were linked once again with another Euro star. Accoriding to the Italian outlet, Repubblica, Juventus have rejected a $100 million bid from Liverpool for Italian attacker Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa was one of the star players of this summer’s European Championship. During the tournament Chiesa won two man-of-the-match awards en route to help Italy win their second European Championship. Chiesa scored 14 goals and had 9 assists in 43 appearances for Juventus including 4 goals and 1 assist in the Champions league.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is said to consider Chiesa not for sale with the club president Andrea Agnelli backing that decision. I really don’t think this is a credible transfer rumor in the slightest and don’t believe the club would be in for such an expensive front line alternative.
To put things into comparison. The rumored money being offered would make Chiesa the second most expensive purchase of all time for any Premier League team. Second only to Paul Pogba’s transfer to Manchester United. Liverpool are not going to offer that type of money for Chiesa. Many of these recent stories seem to be overlooking the fact that Chiesa isn’t yet fully owned by Juventus until they complete the full payment of the transfer to Fiorentina. A two year payment plan that was agreed upon last summer. The reality behind this rumor is that it seems too expensive and complicated to actually be true.
Too Messy for Kessie
Hop on board the midfield merry-go-round. The newest midfielder being linked with the reds is AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie. The Reds have been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old over the past week, as they continue to be linked with any and every midfielder who kicked a ball this season.
Last season Kessie scored 13 goals and assisted 4 in 37 Serie A appearances. He primarily operates in a defensive midfield role but can play as a central midfielder as well. I wouldn’t describe him as a like for like Georginio Wijnaldum replacement. Fabinho is a much more accurate comparable.
Kessie is valued around $60 million but according to the rumors Liverpool believe they can get a deal due to the financial issues in Italy caused by the Pandemic.
Now, according to a report in Corriere dello Sport, via Sempre Milan, Milan have made it their priority to keep hold of Kessie this summer a head of recent interest from Liverpool.
The Serie A outfit have already parted ways with team favorites Hakan Calhanoglu and Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer. They are determined not to let another key player slip away. News is currently circulating that Kessie is already in talks with Milan over a new contract, in order to fend off interest from teams abroad.
I think a midfield signing will be dependent on out going transfers. People seem to forget we already have seven recognized first team midfielders. That does not include Harvey Elliot, Shaqiri and Jota, all of whom have played centrally under Klopp.
A lot of people worry about Liverpool replacing Wijnaldum. I think Thiago was that replacement.
Loaners are Leavers
Harry Wilson has completed a transfer to Fulham. Finally calling end to his time with Liverpool after 16 years with the club. Wilson originally joined the Reds at the U9 level and progressed through the ranks at the Academy. In January 2017 he made his first-team appearance for the Reds. He came on as a substitute in a FA Cup tie with Plymouth Argyle.
Wilson’s switch to Championship side Fulham sees him embark on a familiar chapter in his career, having spent many seasons on loan with various Championship sides.Time with Hull City and then Derby County saw Wilson rack up 23 goals in the Championship. He then spent 2019-20 with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Wilson spent last season with Cardiff City where he scored 7 goals and provided 11 assists.
Fulham have signed Wilson for $18 million on a four-year deal until 2025 with a fifth-year option. Liverpool have included a 15 percent sell-on clause in the deal.
Marko Grujić was announced as a Porto player this week. The fee is believed to be in the region of $16.5 million. The deal runs through June 2026.
Grujic had some interest from a few other teams including Sassuolo but in the end he wanted to re-join Porto on a long term project. Liverpool have managed to negotiate a 10% sell-on clause for the 25-year-old, who was Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool signing.
The Serbian international made 16 appearances for The Reds, as well as being sent on loan to Cardiff City, Hertha Berlin and most recently Porto.
Taiwo Awoniyi has completed a permanent transfer to Union Berlin. The striker returns to the Bundesliga club after spending the 2020-21 season there on loan. Awoniyi scored 5 goals and assisted 2 in 21 appearances for Berlin. Union Berlin finished the season in seventh place.
Awoniyi joined Liverpool back in the summer of 2015 and spent the majority of his six years with the Reds out on loan at a variety of European clubs. This was due to the fact he was unable to obtain a work permit in England.
He had spells with FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron (twice), KAA Gent, FSV Mainz 05 and, most recently with Union Berlin.
Some fans believed Awoniyi might finally get a chance after finally becoming eligible for a work permit. Instead the 23- year-old has finally found a permanent home in Germany.
I am Jordan Gerrard and as always I thank you for reading.