Who are you and what have you done with Liverpool?
The club that has signed forwards such as Iago Aspas, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli in recent seasons finally look to be getting their act together in the transfer market.
Roberto Firmino was confirmed earlier this morning, with the Brazilian forward costing €39.3 million from Hoffenheim, and will become the club’s second most expensive player.
Liverpool have completed the signing of Roberto Firmino subject to a medical. The deal was agreed by Ian Ayre overnight in Chile,
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) June 24, 2015
The signing is seen as something of coup, after reported interest from Manchester United. The 23 year old scored 49 goals in 153 games in the Bundesliga, and will sign a five year deal at Anfield.
However, just as Liverpool fans are getting excited by that signing, Sky Sports are reporting that their summer spending on South American forwards has only just begun.
Ian Ayre has reportedly held talks with both Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon while in South America.
The strikers, who play their club football for Sevilla and Zenit St. Petersburg respectively, would cost a combined fee of almost €50, but Liverpool are prepared to pay in order to help secure Champions League football next season.
Sky Sports are quoting Spanish football expert on Bacca, saying the Colombian has told his club he wants to leave this summer, and the Premier League is a likely destination.
The 28 year old scored an impressive 28 goals in 53 games last season, including two in the Europa League final.
While Rondon scored 20 goals for Zenit in their title winning season last year. The Venezuelan is 25 and would cost Liverpool just over €21 million.
It’s safe to say Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert won’t be sticking around to fight for their place if either of these lads arrive at Anfield.
The transfer news isn’t as positive for Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United. The club haven’t been anywhere near as active in the transfer market, look all but certain to eventually lose David de Gea, and have now given up on Ilkay Gundogan.
The Borussia Dortmind midfielder has long being linked to Manchester United, and Louis van Gaal reportedly saw him as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.
However, according to The Daily Express, the 24 year old will sign a 12 month contract extension with Dortmund, with a move to Barcelona a possibility when their transfer ban is lifted next year.
Finally, Chelsea want to replace the departing Petr Cech with Asmir Begovic, and Stoke City want Victor Moses as part of the deal.
According to The Guardian, Moses is not open to such a move, despite spending last season on-loan at the Britannia Stadium, so Begovic on his own could cost Chelsea just over €11 million.
The Bosnia goalkeeper reportedly wants assurances that he wouldn’t just be backup for Thiburt Courtois, and he’d have an opportunity to challenge for the number one jersey.
Begovic has more chance than Moses of getting a game for Chelsea next season, but we doubt he’ll be able to dislodge Courtois.
