After a few years of inconsistency under goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp turned to back-up Loris Karius. After Karius’ melt-down in the UEFA Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, Anfield is now apparently in the market for an upgrade between the sticks.
In today’s edition of Liverpool FC transfer talk, we focus only the targets who could potentially be the new Reds #1.
We have some movement now in this narrative as Real Madrid signed Liverpool target Andriy Lunin. The side that bested Liverpool in the European final will have consequence on what Klopp’s side does in the goalkeeper transfer market because both clubs are/were after the same targets.
Lunin, a 19-year-old who now leaves Zorya Luhansk, signed a six-year contract reportedly worth an initial fee of €8.5 million. He was officially announced this week. TeamTalk reports that Liverpool had been targeting the youngster, while adding:
“Napoli, Arsenal, Leicester and Watford were also believed to be chasing Lunin, who Marca believe Real will pay up to €14 million for.”
With Lunin out of the picture, let’s revisit the situation with AS Roma and Brazil #1 Alisson Becker, who’s been linked with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea for as long as the summer transfer window has been open.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, as quoted by the Daily Express, report Alisson agreeing to terms to Real Madrid, and thus Liverpool will miss out on this target as well, and again because of the reigning three time European champions.
However, the Liverpool Echo claim that Anfield never even made an offer.
So who could be the resolution to the shot stopper situation? Lazio #1 Thomas Strakosha, according to reports cited by TalkSPORT who write that the Albanian is “rated at £30 million, hails from Athens and is one of several shot-stoppers being lined up by Jurgen Klopp.”
TalkSPORT cite a Daily Mirror article which claims Liverpool are moving for Strakosha, instead of Atletico Madrid #1 Jan Oblak, who comes with a very pricy £87 million release clause.
It appears that there is a whole lot left to be sorted out in this scenario this summer transfer window so watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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