26 Aug 2023 09:13:18
Morning Ed002 - long time since I posted so to start, thank you for all you do and for your patience with the never ending questions during the transfer window.

So at the risk of getting a short RTFP answer, what is the situation regarding our pursuit of Andre and Gravenbach? I've read somewhere very recently that we've bid for Andre at £27M but not seen anything to suggest we've bid for Gravenbach yet. I know Andre is more likely in January.

Secondly, in your considered opinion, which player or players the club are looking at do you think might we get this window?

Thank you - be gentle on your reply ?.

{Ed002's Note - It likely looks something like this: Cheick Doucoure (DM/CB) Crystal Palace have told Monaco, who want him to replace Fofana, that he is not for sale. Only moved to Crystal Palace last summer convinced he would not get a move to PSG that he desired. Although they have added Ugarte, PSG are still looking for a versatile defensive oriented midfield player having decided Verratti can leave and CD is considered an option and was discussed during a meeting about another player. Attractive to Atletico Madrid due to the Cotonou Agreement as an alternative to Amrabat for them. On the list of options for Liverpool but after adding Endo their priority must be a CM player. Has major language issues that need resolving in the coming months. Language certificate for England not yet issued and deferred by Crystal Palace until January 2024. Crystal Palace will not want to sell unless someone will pay well over the odds for him - perhaps £70M. Thuram seen as a potential replacement.} Kalvin Phillips (DM) Do not rule out Manchester City letting Kalvin Phillips go as they have a replacement in mind to upgrade him. He has been offered around and Liverpool may well be keen - and he has large tongue sized ears. Aston Villa or West Ham may provide a wildcard option. The player will likely resist a move but Manchester City would be happy to let him move on. For me, it seems there is interest from Liverpool - but I remain rather surprised. Andre Trindade (DM) Recommended to Liverpool as Fabinho cover a couple of years ago. Prior interest of Barcelona and Braga has gone. Fulham are keen to take him if the lose Palinha and Liverpool could potentially add him to their list of options - but there is a huge catch. Fluminense only own 80% of his rights and that would need to be resolved. They will also seek perhaps €40M including add ons. January seems a far more likely time for a move as it is too late to replace him this summer with the transfer window closed, but Fluminense fear Sporting Lisbon will offer his release clause. Agent has spoken again to Fulham but they intend to hang on to Palhinha (although that is looking increasingly difficult), and he has discussed option for January with Chelsea but their need has passed. Andre Trindade (DM) Recommended to Liverpool as Fabinho cover a couple of years ago. Prior interest of Barcelona and Braga has gone. Fulham are keen to take him if the lose Palinha and Liverpool could potentially add him to their list of options - but there is a huge catch. Fluminense only own 80% of his rights and that would need to be resolved. They will also seek perhaps €40M including add ons. January seems a far more likely time for a move as it is too late to replace him this summer with the transfer window closed, but Fluminense fear Sporting Lisbon will offer his release clause. Agent has spoken again to Fulham but they intend to hang on to Palhinha, and he has discussed option for January with Chelsea but their need has passed. Florentino (DM) Scouts continue to watch Benfica but they have no interest in selling Florentino Luis unless his buy out clause is met or nearly matched. Seen by Barcelona as a potential Busquets replacement, but, too expensive although they would look to include a player or two. Nottingham Forest interest will go nowhere. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool spoke with his agent last summer. Manchester City want to upgrade Kalvin Phillips and Florentino fits the bill. For Liverpool he would realistically be a Fabinho replacement but they are looking at others so can realistically be discounted. Bayern Munich may look to him. PSG were interested but have moved for Ugarte so they can be discounted. Napoli, Arsenal and Milan offer less likely options although with Tonali now departing Milan we may see an increase of interest in him but at nothing close to his buy out clause and they will want to include players. Wildcard would be Bayern Munich but they have a much preferred option. His sale would also be dependent on buying a replacement and the one they have in mind is edging toward a move elsewhere. Chelsea interest has gone. Khephren Thuram (DM/CM) Interest of Manchester United has returned but he is not first choice. Interest of Newcastle and Crystal Palace remains although I would discount Crystal Palace but I expect Newcastle to continue to push their project and make an offer after already holding discussions with Nice. RBL want him as a Laimer replacement and will push following initial discussions. Liverpool asked Nice about his availability given that they looking to add a more DM player and he could become first choice, and they have met with his third-party representatives. If interest grows his price will rise and the club would sell given the emergence of Alexis Beka Beka and an impressive youngster in Reda Belahyane. Player wants PSG but they have no interest at this time - but his representative is pushing PSG and will encourage the player to wait out another year which will suit Nice. Wildcard is Bayern Munich or Manchester City and another potential upgrade on Phillips. His representative has approached Chelsea in an attempt to have them move their interest from Manu Kone, but they are not keen to do that at this time but after losing out on Ugarte that may well change. Nice have met with both Milanese sides about the player. Right now the player will likely stay at nice and await the move he wants to PSG. Sofyan Amrabat (DM/CM) Fiorentina were expecting to lose money on a sale but an excellent World Cup has changed that. Spurs contacted Fiorentina through a third party to take him as an Ndombele replacement in the summer, and Liverpool, Barcelona and Nice have had scouts watch him and have spoken with his representatives, but seemingly not Fiorentina yet. His representatives walked out on a discussion with Liverpool due to something Klopp said in January and if they wish to revive interest they will need to resolve that, which seems unlikely. Fiorentina reported Barcelona for making a direct approach to Amrabat in January but they have patched things up and something may be possible. Agent has spoken with Arsenal and Chelsea as well. The player says he wants to move to Barcelona or Atletico Madrid and I understand that Atletico Madrid are keen to strike a deal. Napoli consider him an option to replace SMS. West Ham give an unlikely option. A whatif answer may be PSG if they appoint Mr Mourinho as their new coach - but that never happened. A wildcard option will be Inter Milan who are looking to replace Brozovic and will guarantee a starting place for him. Manchester United offer a serious option. Manu Kouadio Kone (CM/DM) Prior interest of Milan has gone. Newcastle did approach Borussia Muenchegladbach but they will resist a sale and try and agree a new deal, but Newcastle remain keen. RBL are keen to add Kone to replace Laimer. Bayern Munich are light on DM and CM and are looking to add Kone and Laimer in the summer. Borussia Dortmund see him as a potential Bellingham replacement. Chelsea interest will have gone. Liverpool have spoken with his agents but not yet BM although the opportunity for nepotism exists for the club to exploit, so they should not be discounted - but it could alienate the Sporting Director from the supporters. Watched by a number of other Premier League sides including West Ham, Manchester United and Brighton. A wildcard maybe PSG or Wolves who are looking to replace Neves. A wildcard for Manchester City as well perhaps? Player wants Chelsea move but not being in the CL could influence him further. PSG may push and Liverpool could look to an offer. Asking price will by €60M including add ons. Matheus Nunes (CM/DM) Liverpool have looked at the Wolves player but deem him too expensive at £50M. Do not rule out Manchester City letting Kalvin Phillips go and replacing him with Nunes. Nicolo Barella (CM) Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have had approaches turned away. Don't be surprised of a significant offer from PSG or a further approach from Real Madrid - but Inter don't wish to sell and would no doubt demand something towards €100M or so. Liverpool or Spurs may show an interest but Inter have not been approached by either although they have sent scouts - perhaps another Bellingham option for Liverpool. The player does not wish to leave and is expected to sign a new contract. Long term interest of Chelsea went with the player wanting to stay in Italy. Wildcard may be an approach form Manchester United who have instructed a third party to enquire on their behalf or Arsenal, but I expect the player to stay where he is. Piotr Zielinski (CM/AM) could be available in the summer but at 29 he may no longer be of interest to Liverpool - it could be a mistake or very short term solution only. Not interested in the Middle East so a new contract is possible. Ryan Gravenberch (CM/DM/AM) Versatile midfield player who only joined Bayern Munich last summer and wasn't to be for sale, unless the Head Coach decides he can join the lengthy list of players now available as he looks towards a rebuild and with Brazzo Salihamidzic being sacked that has become more likely. I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool to Bayern Munich at this time, but that may change, and Team Mino are certainly not offering him around, but they have had enquiries from a number of clubs, including Manchester City. The player is making demands about being a starter and game time and Bayern Munich have told Team Mino he can be sold. There is interest from Italy but that may not suit the player. The player has made it clear he would like his next move to be to Manchester United and they may provide an option if available. Liverpool will likely offer another option and will have spoken with his Agents. A wildcard maybe Juventus. Eljif Elmas (CM) Napoli claimed earlier in the year that Klopp had made a direct approach to the player - Liverpool seemed to have now stepped back but I would not be surprised if the club look to him. Federico Valverde (CM) Real Madrid are ideally not looking to sell the player, previously of interest to Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United, as they expect him to settle in as a regular as Modric and Kroos are coming to the end of their RM careers. That was explained to a PL club who enquired when discussing another player. Manchester City have sent scouts to look at him as they look to add to their Central Midfield options. Liverpool interest could return after losing out on Bellingham but right now they seem to have other targets. Player does not want to move on but perhaps an option for Real Madrid to look into selling if they want to push for Mbappe - could well leave this summer if a sufficient offer is made. Luka Sucic (CM/AM) There has been growing interest in the youngster with RBS fending off interest from Arsenal and Juventus by making it clear he is not for sale. This has not stopped the interest of Lazio who see the youngster as a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic replacement. Newcastle have spoken with RBS about the player and will make a bid. Milan have a declared interest but a move seems unlikely. RBS have said a number of other sides have sent scouts to watch him and this will include Liverpool, considering him as an alternative to Bellingham. The player has said he would like to play in Germany. Jesper Lindstrom (AM/LW/RW) Eintracht Frankfurt have said that they are aware of scouts from many sides have watched the player last seas. These sides include Liverpool, perhaps looking for a replacement for Firmino, and Spurs. Newscastle will put an offer on the table. Juventus have been talking with his representatives and have a declared interest, but they are still cleansing the midfield. Arsenal have spoken with his agent after spotting him whilst scouting another player but they, like Brentford, can be dismissed. RBL may push but have preferred targets. Do not rule out an offer from Napoli.}

1.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 10:43:35
Thanks Ed that’s great. Have a good weekend pal.

2.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 10:57:49
Happy Saturday!
Thank you Ed. You are a legend.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome Joey.}

3.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 11:06:20
Thank you Ed - great response and I escaped the RTFP ?
Have a great weekend.

{Ed002's Note - And you.}

4.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 11:19:52
Fairplay Ed!

5.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 11:10:40
Mic drop by Ed there I'll start a timer and see how long it takes for someone to ask about one of the names on this list haha amazing post Ed thank you for all your work.

6.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 12:03:58
OMG ed2, I am blown away by this response - we are very lucky to have your knowledge.
Thank you!

{Ed002's Note - Thanks and you are welcome.}

7.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 12:35:59
Hopefully everyone will give Ed002 some peace now. No excuse for not searching for posts.

8.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 12:44:47
Haven’t heard much of this Elmas fellow Napoli said klopp spoke to according to ed…. does have a familiar tapping up ring to it doesn’t it?

9.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 14:05:20
Amazing stuff Ed.
First ones on me pal. Enjoy.

10.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 14:08:30
Ed002. You have outlined my fears for many months. We could well end up with a threadbare defence.

All this could have been avoided with better planning. Especially with FSG keeping a firm grip on their purse.

{Ed002's Note - This only deals with the midfield. Liverpool do not have a threadbare defence.}

11.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 14:41:06
Thank you ed02.

12.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 15:10:47
Reason I visit this site right there. Ed02 is awesome.

13.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 19:55:04
And breathe.

14.) 26 Aug 2023
26 Aug 2023 22:25:50
Thank you so much.

15.) 27 Aug 2023
27 Aug 2023 10:34:54
Liverpool has the biggest threadbare defender in the history of football.

16.) 27 Aug 2023
27 Aug 2023 11:03:17
"FSG keep a firm grip on their purse". Where you people get this stuff from? I will never know.

17.) 27 Aug 2023
27 Aug 2023 11:02:04
Ed02, I had to take about 3 breathes before finishing that transfer Thesis you just wrote there cos I ran out of breathe all 3 times trying to finish reading it.

Thanks for all you do, man.

Peace and Love.