LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 2, 2016: Liverpool's Brad Smith looks dejected as his side lose 2-0 to West Ham United after the Premier League match at Upton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Brad Smith leaves US to seal Bournemouth move, deal includes buy-back clause

Liverpool left-back Brad Smith will complete his £6 million move to Bournemouth in the coming days, having departed the club’s US training camp.

The 22-year-old was the subject of a surprise bid from the Cherries on Saturday, with Liverpool accepting their big-money offer.

Smith is now free to discuss personal terms with Eddie Howe’s side, and has decided to enter talks with the club, leaving Liverpool’s camp at Stanford University in California.

According to the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce, Smith will land in the UK on Tuesday with a medical scheduled shortly after, and his move is likely to progress swiftly.

Crucially, Pearce also confirms that Liverpool have negotiated a buy-back clause in their deal with Bournemouth, allowing them to bring Smith back to Merseyside for a set fee within the next two years.

This follows similar deals involving fellow youngsters Jordon Ibe and Sergi Canos, who left to join Bournemouth and Norwich City respectively this summer.

Smith’s departure will leave Klopp worryingly short at left-back, however, with Jon Flanagan also likely to move.

The Reds have accepted a season-long loan bid for the 23-year-old, who is currently mulling over a spell away from his boyhood club.

If both Smith and Flanagan exit, Klopp would have Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez as cover for first-choice option Alberto Moreno, with neither a natural in the role.

Therefore, as Pearce details, the German will pursue a move for another left-back this summer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 26, 2015: Aston Villa's Jordan Amavi in action against Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Aston Villa‘s Jordan Amavi and PSV Eindhoven’s Jetro Willems have been tentatively linked in recent days, though neither seems likely to join the Reds at this stage.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona youngster Juanma has linked up with Michael Beale’s U23s on an initial week-long trial, with the 19-year-old comfortable at both centre-back and left-back.

One player Klopp won’t be targeting any further, however, is Leicester City‘s Ben Chilwell, with the England U21 international set to sign a new five-year contract with the Foxes.

This leaves Klopp in a difficult situation, but Bournemouth‘s £6 million was too lucrative for Liverpool to turn down.



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