15 Jun 2025 17:59:33
Some updates on the striker situation and related outgoings:
Inter Milan, Napoli and Atletico Madrid have each expressed an interest in signing both Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa. Internal talks have been held within the club about selling the pair to one of those clubs in a cut price deal, if it could enable a move for Lautaro Martinez, Victor Osimhen, or Julian Alvarez to come the other way.
Inter willing to sell Lautaro, and I'm hearing there are promising signs on the player's side that he could be open to the move.
Napoli desperate to sell Osimhen, and he would be keen on the move. Reported wage demands are vastly inflated, I'm told he'd be looking for about £200-250k.
Of these 3 players, Osimhen is firmly behind Alvarez and Martinez on the shortlist. There is disagreement within the club as to whether he would be a good fit. I've spoken to two different analysts about him, one believes he would excel, finishing the chances provided by Salah and Wirtz, while the other argues that Osimhen does not have the required technical ability, defensive work rate, or tactical versatility that Liverpool are looking for. One to keep an eye on.
Alvarez has already informed the club of his desire to stay at Atletico Madrid this summer. Reports of his (and his family's) discontent in England last year are exaggerated, and he would be open to a move back to England someday. He was willing to join Liverpool last summer, but city and Liverpool did not see eye to eye on the valuation of Luis Diaz and so the deal never materialised. Alvarez is reluctant to relocate again so soon, and has committed to one more year at Atletico, where he has been assured they will build a competitive squad around him. I'm hearing if they don't perform well this season, he'll push to leave, either to take over from Lewandowski at Barcelona, Kane at Bayern, or move back to England with Liverpool or Arsenal. Despite the fact he has told Liverpool he'll be staying another year in Spain, I would not rule out the club trying to ask him again, with several people within the club hoping that Liverpool's ambition in the transfer market could entice him to come this summer (as it has for Isak) and with Atletico's interest in multiple of our players meaning they might never be more willing to do business for Alvarez than this summer. But the belief within Liverpool currently is that Alvarez will more than likely stick to his decision to stay in Spain another year.
AC Milan are also interested in both Nunez and Chiesa, but Liverpool would prefer to sell to one of the other teams if it helped secure a striker. AC Milan have also enquired about Tsimikas, Elliot, and Jones.
In Atletico's case, Andy Robertson could also be included in any deal, but will likely move regardless. Slot has given him the green light to leave the club, and I'm told we would expect a fee similar to that received for Jordan Henderson a few years ago, likely £10-15mil. Reports that we would consider letting him go for free are completely false.
In Inter Milan's case, I understand they have also tentatively enquired about Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones, though I understand both players are keen to stay at the club.
15 Jun 2025 18:24:46
Comprehensive and plausible. Thank you RN.
15 Jun 2025 18:31:28
The caveat to Osimhen is that is the figure of £200-250k pw is after tax and NI, so include that and his demands are over £400k.
15 Jun 2025 18:35:24
So could Alvarez be a good fit if the rumours about them disliking England so much aren't true.
15 Jun 2025 18:41:35
Surely it depends on where Nunez wants Togo. Spain or Italy. Chiesa we know would be happy to head home. Personally think it will be Martinez if he can be convinced. Alvarez won't move, Isak is to expensive and Osimhen may move to Turkey if they can get a deal done as the fans adored him a d he loved it there to.
15 Jun 2025 18:56:11
There has to be more options out there, Alvarez isn't keen, Osimhen wants crazy money, Isak would cost crazy money, Martinez isn't exactly on the minimum wage, Ekitike - over priced, Gyokeres could flop and seems unlikely, Sesko looks to be Arsenal bound. I do wonder if there is a hidden gem somewhere, I personally think Evanilson would do a job for us, but that would only leave Bournemouth with about 3 players.
{Ed077's Note - Evanilson is alright, but nothing too special fro. what I saw last season. Mid table is about his level, at least for now
15 Jun 2025 19:02:54
I hope we don’t go for Martinez at 28 for the money they would want think he just doesn’t score enough goals. 12 in 31 league games today I bet his minutes per goal are not much better than Darwin’s.
15 Jun 2025 19:05:16
No sure any teams in Togo could afford him but he would probably do well in their top league.
15 Jun 2025 19:16:15
Isnt RN Harry?
15 Jun 2025 19:18:23
The only other name I have that hasn't been linked anywhere is Ramos from PSG. Availability and willingness to move is anyone's guess. Good age though and there certainly is a player there.
15 Jun 2025 19:21:37
Lautaro being 27 until he is 28 like all other people in the world.
15 Jun 2025 19:23:57
Alvarez, Martinez or Isak are perfect for us. Julian is the one I hope we get. Maybe if Romero comes he could be more interested to move.
Oshimen is good but I think he doesn't fit us like a glove like those three.
In any case what a hell of a team we are building here for next season. Unbelievable!
15 Jun 2025 19:46:42
It’s simple for me, Alvarez if not then oshimen, he gets goals everywhere, all types of goals.
Top players want top salaries, it’s not my money, if he helps us win trophies then it’s worth it.
15 Jun 2025 19:53:47
More im unimpressed with the people linked, or know we cnt get Isak or Alvarez the more i think Watkins at a decent price wouldn't be a bad choice. Premier league proven, stays fit and is a team player. Of the realistic options we could get is there many better?
15 Jun 2025 20:27:37
@IRM, I can’t see Nunez wanting to go to Togo, mate.
15 Jun 2025 21:19:23
Osmihen besides wanting "Big Licks" also wants free easter eggs and a free christmas hamper every season?
15 Jun 2025 21:22:37
Alvarez to Liverpool rumors are just pipe dreams. You all need to wake up.
15 Jun 2025 21:38:22
Troll alert - adamlalllana’s first post ?.
15 Jun 2025 21:58:45
Pipe dream? c'mon Lallana, it’s Alvarez. Not Prime Cafu.
Wirtz is a bigger signing 10x over. He’d come in and be 5/ 6 best player behind VVD, Salah, Wirtz, Alisson, Macca etc….
15 Jun 2025 21:58:59
Adam, we're signing Wirtz. Anything can happen.
15 Jun 2025 22:08:46
If we keep Diaz I doubt very much whether we will sign a cf. There just aren’t any top players available, better to sign the best up and coming youngster we can find.
15 Jun 2025 22:16:39
Ollie Watkins is the Roy Hodgson option.
In the multiverse theory there are infinite universes with infinite possibilities, the one constant however is that Ollie Watkins is never good enough to play for Liverpool.
15 Jun 2025 22:20:07
So was Wirtz a few months ago.
15 Jun 2025 22:27:39
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why we would want Alvarez?
Granted I haven’t seen him at all at Atletico but he was bang average at Citeh. Has he suddenly become some kind of world beater or something?
15 Jun 2025 22:57:26
@robboslostlegs Julian is a top top player. He has Exceptional off-the-ball movement, superb link-up play, reads the game well, know how to press, can play across the attack on different roles and has good mentality.
For me we should focus on him.
15 Jun 2025 23:30:41
Not saying Watkins is the ultimate Victor but that attitude (the attitude that English players are always overrated) is always rife on here. Watkins is a very good striker in the most competitive league on earth, doesn't bother me what nationality they are its what they do on the pitch and for me, there is NO top notch striker we can realistically get this summer so once we can get better than we already have while been shrewd with the cash i can live with that. Wirtz for a fortune? . no problem with that but he's top class, if you can't get top class just be clever and get whatever improvements you can.
15 Jun 2025 23:41:00
Harry unnecessarily told us all we should ‘take no notice’ of Red Notice last week. I know he has a habit of commenting on his own posts with multiple accounts, but he usually agrees with himself. Anyway RN’s post was far too coherent. So no, RN is not Harry. Just my take.
15 Jun 2025 23:47:35
And Vik reckons we only spend big if we don't qualify for the CL or we sell for big money.
16 Jun 2025 00:00:39
English players are always over rated and over priced. Watkins would be out of his depth and given he’s turning 30, should be avoided like the plague. To call him mediocre would be generous.
16 Jun 2025 00:23:39
Martinez would create a tonne of goals just by being there and doing what he does, even if he doesn't score a hat full.
16 Jun 2025 01:57:33
Ok, for the oldies and prompted by the ‘anything can happen’ …… Anyone recall ‘Anything can happen in the next thirty minutes’?
{Ed078's Note -wasn't it the next half hour?
16 Jun 2025 02:18:54
I’m just going on what I saw of Alvarez when he was at Citeh VakPa and I wasn’t impressed. He was ok but nothing special. He left because he couldn’t consistently get into their starting 11.
He must’ve massively improved since leaving because on here he’s spoken about as the answer to all our prayers.
I admit I haven’t watched him recently but based on what I’ve seen I don’t get the hype.
16 Jun 2025 08:10:53
Avarez appears to be killing it in Spain. Maybe its the different environment or the way the game is played or perhaps its because he has a coach who is giving him regular starts and in the same position each week and he is repaying that trust. or maybe its just because he is now 25 and starting to put it all together a bit like Salah?
16 Jun 2025 08:19:39
Alvarez > Issac> mbappe > simoa thers always at least 1 a year that people keep constantly believe is coming but never do.
16 Jun 2025 08:35:50
@Ed78, I think you are correct - good catch.
{Ed078's Note - did you just call me old??
16 Jun 2025 08:37:20
@Robbo
I actually admired him for leaving city. He backed himself to play CF for a top side and he was never going to get a sniff with Haaland at City. He backed himself and asked for a move away to go an do that.
Since going to Atletico he has shown his qualities in la liga and in the CL. Typically of a Simeone CF he works very hard, runs the channels and presses well, whilst he’s also a clinical finisher when chances arise. His first touch and link up play is very good too I would say.
If you haven’t watched him all season I don’t think it’s reasonable to say whether he’s good or not. He barely got a chance at City.
16 Jun 2025 09:42:23
Also @Robbo, Have you forgotten how well Salah did at Chelsea before moving abroad? Alvarez was considerably better at City before he departed.