Camacho saga finally over & impact of attack duo revealed – Thursday’s Liverpool FC News Roundup

We round up the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours on Thursday, on the day Sepp van den Berg becomes the Reds’ first summer signing.

Today’s Main Headlines

Camacho’s Sporting Return All But Confirmed

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Monday, January 7, 2019: Liverpool's Rafael Camacho takes on Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rúben Vinagre during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Rafa Camacho‘s Liverpool exit this summer has been common knowledge for weeks, but his next destination has remained unresolved.

That being said, former club Sporting CP were always resounding favourites to sign him and it’s now a matter of time until it happens.

The Times‘ Paul Joyce, arguably the most reliable Liverpool-based journalist, has taken to Twitter to confirm that the 19-year-old is set for a “permanent transfer” to Sporting.

Similarly, A Bola, via Sport Witness, believe a five-year deal could be agreed in the ‘coming hours’.

There had been rumours suggesting Camacho could be used in a swap deal with Bruno Fernandes, but that is clearly not happening now.

It will be interesting to see if Liverpool ensure there is a buy-back clause in the Portuguese’s contract, should they have the urge to re-sign him one day, while a sell-on percentage could prove lucrative in future.


Palace’s Rumoured Double Swoop

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 3, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Let’s start by saying that any transfer stories produced by Football Insider should not be taken too seriously.

Their latest claim suggests Crystal Palace are eyeing up a £25 million double swoop for Liverpool pair Simon Mignolet and Nathaniel Clyne.

Mignolet’s future is still uncertain, with the club happy to keep hold of him but the player himself potentially keen on more regular playing time.

Meanwhile, Clyne has been deemed surplus to requirements by Jurgen Klopp and could be interested in returning to the club where he started out, following a loan spell at Bournemouth.

Mignolet is seen as an experienced head to bring in between the sticks and Clyne could be a straight replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is off to Man United.

Don’t read too much into it until someone more reputable reports it, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see both end up at Selhurst Park next season.


African Reds Pair Hailed

BRIGHTON AND HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 12, 2019: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) and Said Mane during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the American Express Community Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are two of the best attacking players in the world currently, helping take Liverpool back to the pinnacle of European football.

Their influence back in Africa cannot be downplayed, with the Egyptian and Senegalese forwards genuine superstars on their home continent.

In an interview with bwin, former Arsenal defender Lauren has hailed the way Salah and Mane are inspiring a new generation:

“Salah and Mane are changing the way the young African footballers think about playing for their African home nation.

“It’s the new generation in Africa, they see Salah’s played for Egypt, Mane’s played for Senegal and Iwobi’s played for Nigeria and know that it’s okay to play for their African team.

“African football faces the challenge of people of African heritage growing up in Europe and growing up with European level football and therefore wanting to play to that level but I think that players like Salah and Mane are breaking down those barriers, and the likes of Iwobi and Zaha will only help this further by showing young players they can play at an international level with their African team.”

Lauren was conducting an Africa Cup of Nations Q&A, in which he also tipped the Liverpool duo to be both players to watch and Golden Boot contenders.

Salah scored on Wednesday night as hosts Egypt made it two wins out of two in the tournament, while Mane’s Senegal take on Algeria this evening, having beaten Tanzania at the weekend.


Sharif Signs Professional Contract

ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Monday, January 21, 2019: Liverpool players line-up before the FA Youth Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Accrington Stanley FC at Langtree Park. L-R Bobby Duncan, Luis Longstaff, Leighton Clarkson, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Yasser Larouci, Jack Walls, Abdulrahman Sharif, Remi Savage, Rhys Williams, goalkeeper Jaros Vitezslav, captain Paul Glatzel. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Us mere mortals can only imagine how it feels to sign a first professional contract as a footballer – for Abdi Sharif, however, that dream has become a reality.

Liverpool have confirmed that the midfielder has signed on the dotted line, on an extremely proud day for the 18-year-old.

Sharif has been at the academy since the age of just six and was a key member of Barry Lewtas‘ FA Youth Cup-winning Reds Under-18s side last season.

He made his debut for the Under-23s in January and could continue to shine for Neil Critchley‘s side in 2019/20.


Skrtel Set for Gerrard Reunion?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 9, 2014: Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard consoles a dejected Martin Skrtel as they draw 1-1 with FC Basel and are knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and are forced to suffer the ignominy of the Europa League at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ok, so this isn’t directly relevant to the current Liverpool side, but we thought you’d find it interesting, nonetheless.

According to the Daily Record, Martin Skrtel is in talks to sign for Steven Gerrard‘s Rangers this summer.

The Liverpool legend has reportedly held “positive preliminary talks” with his former teammate, who is a free agent after his contract at Fenerbahce expired.

Skrtel has been tracked by Rangers for over a year and it looks like they will finally get their man.

As long as the Slovakian doesn’t make Gerrard tear his hair out by pulling opponents’ shirts endlessly, he could end up being a good signing!

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An informative, tongue-in-cheek roundup of the day’s events at LFC and the wider football world.