The number of Liverpool stars who’ll leave for nothing this summer has swelled to four and could reach as high as six, while a trusted source has clarified remarkable claims surrounding a leaked midfield signing.
It’s no secret Liverpool’s squad is in need of major surgery this summer. Midfield is expected to be the centre of attention, though both arrivals and exits could come in every department of the squad.
Owners FSG will be tasked with opening the chequebook with an ever-increasing number of holes in need of filling.
Indeed, centre-forward Roberto Firmino will depart as a free agent, while Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed midfield duo Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will follow suit. Three Premier League sides are already showing interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It had long been speculated Juventus loanee, Arthur Melo, would take his leave too. An option to buy was included in the Brazilian’s deal, though given his spell on Merseyside has been ravaged by injury, there didn’t appear much appetite to trigger it.
Now, even Arthur’s agent has conceded his client will not remain at Anfield beyond the current campaign.
Game over for Arthur Melo
Speaking to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Federico Pastorello said of Arthur. “He was unlucky.
“He arrived on the last day of the transfer market, he paid off for the season where he played little at Juventus, he was integrating and had a [serious thigh] injury so he had [to have surgery].
“It was three months of injury, he was on his second bench, I hope he can at least give his contribution.
“I think he’ll come back [to Juventus] from loan and then we’ll see what to do.”
Arthur’s exit will bring the tally of players Liverpool are known to be losing to four. But according to the Athletic’s James Pearce, two more who also won’t generate transfer fees could swell the number to six.
Adrian, Milner on chopping block too
Writing in a Q&A, the Athletic’s Liverpool expert stated vice-captain James Milner and third-choice goalkeeper Adrian could move on too.
Both are out of contract this summer and Football Insider recently reported Klopp had demanded Milner be offered a new deal. But if Pearce is to be believed, Milner’s time may also be up.
In the event all six of the aforementioned players leave, Pearce added Liverpool will save around £650,000-a-week in salary.
The hope for Liverpool fans is that saving will then be put towards blockbuster new signings and on that front, Pearce shed light on spectacular claims surrounding Ryan Gravenberch.
German outlet Sport1 recently reported Liverpool are closely following the Dutchman who’s struggled to make an impact at Bayern Munich since his £20.5m move from Ajax last summer.
A report out of Spain then claimed Klopp had put in a request to Liverpool’s board regarding the signing of Gravenberch.
Even more newsworthy was a remarkable YouTube live stream from former Reds left-back Jose Enrique.
The Spaniard appeared to unwittingly leak Liverpool had wrapped up a move for Gravenberch last week when claiming he’d heard the news through his agent.
Pearce was asked specifically about Enrique’s suggestion Gravenberch to Liverpool was a done deal. According to the Athletic reporter, Enrique was being more than a little mischievous.
“My information is that nothing is nailed on at this stage,” said Pearce. “Gravenberch will be one of many under consideration.
“Jude Bellingham is clearly the priority.”
Liverpool could sign £90m midfield maestro for free this summer; Jose Enrique wants Reds to contact his family
A new legal ruling deciding that bright Barcelona starlet Gavi has now been relegated to the status of an academy player could have huge ramifications for the Spanish outfit and external parties.
For clubs like Liverpool that will be always keen to keep an eye out for bargain signings, the development reported by The Athletic will be a welcome one (given they could snap him up for free in the summer as a consequence).
It didn’t escape the notice of former Red Jose Enrique who took to Twitter to urge his old club to get in contact with both the player and his family to make the most of the situation.
If this is true is an opportunity that we can't let it go. If i was us I will be already in contact with him and his family to try to make it happen. We need to use this kind of situation in our advantage @FootballJOE pic.twitter.com/bghBvhs13O
— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) March 21, 2023
The teenager has already racked up a remarkable 84 senior appearances for the Catalan outfit across all major competitions, amassing 15 goal contributions in that time.
Considering the youngster’s current value (roughly £90m, according to Football Transfers) at a time when we’d be looking to snap up Jude Bellingham for around £130m, it would represent a coup of epic proportions to sign Gavi on a free at the end of the season.
We’ll have to keep a very close eye on how Barcelona’s appeal plays out, of course, not to mention the likely heavy competition that’ll spring from the woodwork if it becomes clear close to the time that a hefty release clause won’t stand in the way.
But Xavi’s outfit could very well end up providing Liverpool with a major solution yet again after helping fast-track our last rebuild with the big-money purchase of Philippe Coutinho.