Despite running away with the league and being current European champions, Liverpool’s apparent reluctance to spend big money has resurfaced once more.
With a deal to bring German forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig to Merseyside looking imminent, the club backed out; unwilling to spend the £53 million release clause.
Given the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, Liverpool are said to be reluctant to spend big. Something that isn’t unusual now to fans; under the ownership of FSG, The Reds have rarely spent large sums of money on players unless the money had been subsidised by a profitable sale beforehand, not that this policy has stopped them from being successful.
In recent months, the Premier League champions-elect have been linked with Jadon Sancho of Dortmund and Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. Both deals which would cost in excess of £100 million, fees that seem unlikely in the current climate. No big names are set to be departing the club, therefore Liverpool may look elsewhere for improvement.
Potentially another summer without heavy investment awaits for Jurgen Klopp’s squad, so the club may look to improve on the cheap.
The German boss and his sporting director Michael Edwards have a great record when it comes to unearthing gems.
I have had a look at a some reasonably priced possible targets.
Bukayo Saka
The young Arsenal starlet was enjoying his most impressive spell in the side prior to footballs suspension. At only 18-years-old, the pacy winger has bags of potential, Arsenal are said to be keen to tie him, down to a long term contract.
Saka’s current deal ends in the summer of 2021, should he be unwilling to commit his future to the North London club. Arsenal may be best served selling whilst they can get a respectful fee for the teenager, instead of risking losing him for nothing when his deal expires.
Willian
Coming into the twilight of his career perhaps, Wilian could still present a viable short term squad option at Anfield. At 31, the Brazilian’s best years may be behind him, however, when his contract runs out he will be available on a free. He still possesses bags of quality and would potentially accept a squad member role with the champions.
Philippe Coutinho
A lot of things need to be addressed before this deal even becomes a possibility. His murky departure from Anfield to Barcelona in early 2018 has tarnished his reputation on Merseyside, perhaps to an irreparable level in places. Since leaving, Coutinho hasn’t recaptured anything like the form he shown at Liverpool. After an unsuccessful spell on loan at Bayern Munich this campaign, there seems to be a shortening list of potential suitors.
Barcelona are said to be looking to move him on this summer, perhaps willing to offer the midfielder out on a cut-price deal to get him off the books. Coutinho is said to welcome a move back to Liverpool, how he may be welcomed back is another matter.
Ryan Fraser
After refusing a short term deal it seems the diminutive Scottish winger will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the start of July. Liverpool were heavily linked to his signature in January and the possibility of bringing him in on a free may prove too good to turn down.
His form has dipped markedly this season but his previous levels would be good enough to warrant a place in Klopp’s squad.
Jeremy Ngakia
Another whose contract is up in the coming weeks and who would be available on a free, Ngakia, who has made four first-team appearances for West Ham this season, has recently rejected a contract offer from the Hammers.
The young right-back, who made his Premier League debut in a 2-0 loss against Liverpool at the London Stadium, is said to be looking for first-team football. Something he is unlikely to get regularly at Anfield given Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quality.
Milot Raschica
The Kosovo international seems poised to leave Werder Bremen at the end of the 2019/20 season. The versatile forward has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing Bremen season, the club sit 17th in the Bundesliga facing the prospect of relegation.
Liverpool have a good track record of picking up recently relegated players; with Andy Robertson and Gini Wijnaldum joining from Hull and Newcastle respectively. Werder Bremen’s relegation would see Raschica’s release clause plummet from £31 million to an affordable £15 million.
Verdict
While there won’t be wholesale changes in the Liverpool ranks, it seems inevitable a couple of players will move on this summer.
Xherdan Shaqiri has proved an able substitute but will almost certainly seek more first-team activity.
Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson have enjoyed successful loan spells with Hertha Berlin and Bournemouth and it remains to see if they are part of Klopp’s plans, whilst Adam Lallana will leave the club when his mini contract extension comes to an end.
Youngsters Harvey Elliot, Neco Williams, Curtis Jones and Rhian Brewster may see more first-team action next season. They may yet be deemed more than capable of filling the voids than any potential arrivals.
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