What started so well, with four new signings before the players had even returned to pre-season training, has become another farce, with Liverpool desperately scraping around to make the signings they need with just days left of the transfer window.
One thing that is for certain, there won’t be a “marquee signing” that so many had craved – including manager Brendan Rodgers. The boss had spoke several times over the past month about needing to get “quality” additions in to improve the first-team squad, but the only business that looks likely to be done is that of squad re-enforcements in the areas that are lacking; most notably centre-back, and possibly left-wing.
Tiago Ilori
The Portuguese centre back, 20, has been a Liverpool target all summer and a move could finally come to fruition in the final days, according to reports. The Guardian write:
Liverpool have reopened talks with Sporting for Ilori. The 20-year-old was among the Liverpool manager’s preferred list of defensive targets at the start of the summer only for Sporting’s rising valuation to stall a deal. A fee of around £7m could finally land the London-born Portugal Under-20 international.
Mamadou Sakho
The French centre back, 23, has also been heavily linked with a move for the past month, and would also offer cover at left-back. Differing reports suggest either a loan, or a permanent deal but a deal seems less likely than Ilori.
Shay Given
As reported last night, Liverpool are in talks to sign goalkeeper Shay Given from Aston Villa on a season-loan as back-up to Simon Mignolet. The Daily Star, among others, report that this will mean Brad Jones will be sold.
Toby Alderweireld
Meanwhile, one player who won’t be arriving is Ajax’s Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, who is set to join Atletico Madrid. The Daily Mail report the news, while there have been suggestions that Liverpool returned their interest in the versatile 24 year old but were too late in doing so.
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