With Jurgen Klopp‘s summer plans taking shape, we round up the latest Liverpool transfer news, including Martin Skrtel’s impending departure.
As we hurtle towards a busy pre-season for the Reds, Klopp is looking to seal the majority of his transfer business early, allowing he and his new backroom staff to begin work in earnest.
Following the early arrivals of Marko Grujic and Joel Matip, German goalkeeper Loris Karius and, most recently, £30 million forward Sadio Mane have been added to Klopp’s squad, while bids have been made for both Piotr Zielinski and Ben Chilwell.
There are likely to be a host of incomings and outgoings in the coming weeks, and here we round up the latest from Melwood, as Skrtel looks set to leave after eight-and-a-half years.
Skrtel to Fenerbahce “Almost Done”
After outlasting four Liverpool managers in Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers, Skrtel’s time on Merseyside looks to have finally come to an end.
A muted half-season under Klopp is now poised to be the Slovak’s last with the club, as Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has confirmed.
The Turkish side have agreed a £5 million deal with the Reds to secure Skrtel’s services, with only personal terms to be finalised.
Skrtel will be joined by Paris Saint-Germain right-back Gregory van der Wiel, with Yildirim revealing that both transfers are “almost done.”
The 31-year-old will leave behind a mixed legacy at Liverpool, though few supporters are likely to bemoan his departure.
- FULL STORY: Martin Skrtel’s Liverpool exit “almost done”
Norwich Make Offer for Canos
Despite making his debut for the Reds in the final day of the 2015/16 Premier League season, Spanish winger Sergi Canos is poised to leave the club this summer.
This comes after an impasse in contract talks, with Liverpool unwilling to match Canos’ £10,000-a-week wage demands—and with only a year left on his contract, they are looking to cut their losses.
According to reports on Monday, Championship side Bristol City have agreed a £2.5 million fee with the Reds, who are said to have pushed for a buy-back option in any deal.
Now, as relayed by the Eastern Daily Press, newly relegated Norwich City are also said to be looking to match this offer, as Alex Neil builds for a promotion push.
Canos’ departure would be a disappointment, but following Mane’s arrival it seems a sensible juncture.
Ward Set For Contract Talks
Karius’ arrival is likely to see the German assume the role of first-choice goalkeeper, leaving the position of last season’s No. 1, Simon Mignolet, under question.
But with Mignolet set to serve as Karius’ deputy on his adjustment to life in the Premier League, last season’s returning loanee, Danny Ward, is set to leave the club on another temporary deal.
With Huddersfield Town his likely destination, Ward could link up with Klopp’s former team-mate, David Wagner, who took the reins at the John Smith’s Stadium towards the end of 2015.
But before Ward departs Merseyside again, the Wales international should sign a new, improved contract.
That is according to Goal’s Melissa Reddy, who suggests that Ward’s promising displays in the second half of 2015/16 have earned him a long-term role under Klopp at Anfield.
Bogdan Looking to Leave on Loan
Joining Ward, and potentially U21s goalkeeper Ryan Fulton, through the Anfield exit this summer could be Adam Bogdan—just one year after signing for the club from Bolton Wanderers.
The Hungarian joined Liverpool on a free transfer ahead of 2015/16, but after making just six appearances last season and losing his place on the substitutes’ to Ward, he is pushing for a summer loan move.
“My goal is to get a loan deal as soon as possible,” he said this week.
“There is not much point going to the USA after my last half-year, plus the new arrival of a goalkeeper shows that they don’t count on me.
“I want to rebuild my good form. I want to play games weekly and get back to the national team.”
Liverpool’s pre-season opponents, Wigan Athletic, are said to be interested in agreeing a deal for the 28-year-old, though he could still remain on Merseyside as third-choice goalkeeper.
Higuain Linked…Again
Mane’s arrival sees the former Southampton attacker join Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Christian Benteke, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe, Sheyi Ojo, Luis Alberto and Lazar Markovic in swelling Klopp’s forward ranks.
But, despite this, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has once again been linked with a big-money move to Merseyside.
After the Argentina international’s agent revealed Higuain would not extend his contract with the Serie A side, with a departure mooted at the end of 2017/18, talkSPORT claim Liverpool have been put on “red alert.”
This could fuel rumours from the beginning of June that Klopp had met with Nicolas Higuain to discuss a possible move, but the striker’s brother and representative quashed speculation on Wednesday.
Don’t expect to see Higuain in a Liverpool shirt any time soon.
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