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Guehi, Lioni and Isak updates!
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The transfer window continues to hot up ahead of the PL restart tis Friday. Jesse Sarwar goes through all the latest news surrounding the Reds.
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Transcript
Liverpool's Active Transfer Window
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr. Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Jesse Sawa.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get into some of the latest news that's doing the round. For Liverpool Football Club, as we approach the start of the new season, obviously the games have become thick and fast, but the the transfer news, the transfer activity until the the end of the month when the transfer window closes is also going to be, you know, I think it's going quite hectic. I mean, we've experienced an unprecedented level of activity at the club.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, this is just not... how Liverpool Football Club normally do things. And, you know, look, it's made the news... Lots of ah kind of rival supporters are are having a good laugh at the bank of Felipe Coutinho kind of gag that's ah ah that that continues to do the rounds.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Liverpool have spent money this transfer window, but we've also sold.
Financial Strategy Behind Liverpool's Net Spend
00:02:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know people don't want to hear this, but the... the The money that has come into the club, it means that we're we've spent a net spend of around about £40 million. pounds So for all those people that that are asking, how can Liverpool Football Club spend the money that they're spending?
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's easy. It's just maths. just go and do the maths. You know, we're we're a well-run club and we haven't spent money like this every single window. And so one, we've got a bit of money to burn.
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And secondly, you know we've We've got good fees that have come in for the players that we have sold. so And that's going to continue.
Negotiations for Mark Gahey
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
of the updates is with Mark Gahey, the Crystal Palace captain, centre-back, 25 years old, England international,
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now Liverpool are in concrete negotiations with Crystal Palace to sign their club captain. Palace had valuation of around about 50 million pounds just a few weeks ago, and that was 70 75 million pounds.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
last summer when Newcastle United tried to sign Gay and Palace rebuffed those offers. They rejected those offers. And now from £50 million, pounds obviously the player is now entering the final year of his current contract.
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Liverpool have played, i would say, a clever waiting game. They didn't buy £50 million, pounds even though The need for for for Liverpool to sign centre-back, I would say, is critical. I would say it's the most important position that we need to sign for.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I would take a centre-back signing, a very good centre-back signing, even over Alexander Izak. I really do, because I just don't think that we can enter the new season with just three centre-backs.
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of those three centre-backs, you've got Joe Gomez, who has not the best record when it comes to fitness and fitness. availability So the valuation, was £50 million pounds just a few weeks ago, it looks like they have had to come down from that figure.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool apparently are trying to negotiate the deal down to around about £30 million. pounds It looks like Palace are trying to get around about £40 million. pounds So it may be one of those...
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
situations where they'll meet somewhere in the middle and some somewhere in the region of £35 million pounds may get the deal done.
Crystal Palace's Position on Gahey's Transfer
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Crystal Palace...
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are not in a position. They are not the kind of club. They don't have the stature. They don't have the finances. They are not in Champions League football every season where they will get 100 million pounds, 200 million pounds.
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are just not in that bracket where they can turn down this kind of money and let this kind of asset leave their club next summer for absolutely nothing.
00:05:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool can do that. They've done that with Trent Alexander-Arnold. They may may well have to do that next season with Ibrahima Canate. We've done it with Gini Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino in seasons gone by.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, were I think we're much... more willing to get one more year out of a top player just say, OK, thank you very much.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now off you go. Whereas Crystal Palace just can't do that. They cannot allow, you know, between 30 and 50 million pounds to just leave their club. So,
00:06:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they will have to cash in. I said, I think Liverpool played game of patience and have just waited for Palace now to come to them and say, look, we we are willing to do a deal.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, that patience will save them, you know, 10 to 20 million pounds from Palace's original asking
Importance of Signing Gahey for Liverpool
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
price. It still begs the question, with one year left on his contract,
00:07:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does it make sense? Is it is it worth paying 30, 35 million pounds for a player that you can pick up for absolutely nothing in 12 months time?
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's just one of those things that I think that it's become a feature of modern football players running down their contracts and.
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The club that holds the contract is in a dilemma. Do we yeah do we cut our losses now and and get rid of the player and and bring in some cash?
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do we get one year out of him? And the buying club of have got to weigh up their options and think... you know Do we wait and pick this guy up for free, knowing that other clubs could come in and maybe offer better wages, a better salary, and really encourage almost like a salary auction?
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do they just say, look, he's a good player. He's a top international. He's 25 years old. He's battle-hardened. He's Premier League ready.
00:08:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
£30 million pounds is a great price for for any English centre back. So And I think also Liverpool should also think that buying Mark Gahey now at whether it's 30 or 35 million pounds just takes him off the market.
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It means that one of your competitors, a Manchester City, an Arsenal, it's just one less player for them to to go for. While at the same time, strengthening an area that desperately does need strengthening.
Ibrahima Canate's Contract Situation
00:08:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I think signing Gehi may also pose a question for Ibrahim Akanate, our French defender. He's also entering the final year of his current deal.
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, he hasn't put pen to paper on a new deal, despite, you know, according to most reports, the club have offered him a couple of deals.
00:09:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah New and improved terms. And you know they they ah ah they have been turned down by Canate. Now, he's for me, he's running down his contract. This is just Alexander-Arnold all over again.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think most players in this situation... They know when they're going to leave. They know when they're going to stay. And i I find it difficult to believe that Liverpool would have offered Canate such a bad deal that he's just going to reject those deals again and again. I just don't believe that that's the case. I just think that these contract negotiations...
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're They're used by players to ah to to almost kind of have some kind of an excuse when it comes to rejecting the contract and walking away for free.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Trent Alexander-Arnold almost used the kind of captaincy excuse last season when he he wasn't signing the contract and he was saying that his ambition was to captain Liverpool, knowing that Virgil van Dijk...
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
is our captain and and that's fixed that there's no debate over that and I just thought that that was just a a really kind of transparent attempt to sow these kind of seeds of doubt that Well, look, I want to stay, but if you're not going to give me the captaincy, then I'm going to leave.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I think with Canate, I think that there are a couple of clubs in for him that I think that he's very, very interested in. That is Real Madrid, obviously, and PSG, his hometown club.
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
he Look, he's won everything domestically with us. He's won the Premier League. He's won both domestic cups, the FA Cup, the League Cup. Obviously, we'll be pushing for the Champions League ah this season.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, I really honestly don't have a huge problem with players wanting to leave and try something new.
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a very short career. you're it's it's an even shorter career at the top you know you're lucky to get 10 years of top flight uh professional football and if that means that canate does three four five years in the english premier league wins the premier league at liverpool and then thinks you know what i want to try something want to try real madrid i want to try la liga or i'd like to go back to Paris, to my hometown and play for PSG, try and win the Champions League with them or win a domestic trophy with them.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't have an issue with that. I really don't. And so I honestly think that Canate is looking to run down his contract and to sign for probably one of those two clubs at the end of the summer.
Gahey's Potential Role at Liverpool
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, if that is the case, and if it is the case that we do succeed in buying Mark Gahey from Crystal Palace, it means that we'll have a player that's not committed to the club come the start the season. Obviously, in similar ways that Trent Alexander-Arnold was in a similar situation last season. and um think that was slightly different in the sense that he's a homegrown player that was always that kind of,
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
expectation rightly or wrongly that he was eventually going to sign. But I think with Mark Gahey, if he does join Liverpool, he's not joining us to make up the numbers.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not joining us to sit on the bench and maybe play a few League Cup games. He's coming to play regular first team football, And to experience a Premier League running, to experience a Champions League campaign, which he's never done, which will help help him to grow as a footballer. And that's, I'm presuming, it's not just about the money. He wants to move up another level.
00:13:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this being a World Cup year as well, I think every player out there that has got a fighting chance of making it to their respective national teams, World Cup squads, they will want to play regular first team football.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if Gehi does join, Does that put him ahead of Canate in the pecking order to partner Van Dijk? Because Canate will not want to be second choice in this World Cup year as well.
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll be wanting to play regular first team football. So does this force his hand? Will this bring matters to head if we do succeed in bringing Gehi in?
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will it make Canate, I don't know agitate for a move in the last few weeks of this window? Or will it make him sign a new contract you know to prove his commitment and say, look, I'm here, guys. I'm i'm here for the next three, four, five years.
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I'm committed. So it's an interesting one to see how that works.
Interest in Giovanni Leone
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
developments because Gehi is not the only defender that we are seriously linked with because Giovanni Leone, who we discussed yesterday, 18-year-old centre-back at Parma, he is under serious consideration now with a lot of reports suggesting that deal will be done in the coming days.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And these are quite reliable sources who don't normally kind of stick their neck out in that in that way but they are suggesting Fabrizio Romano for example is suggesting that the the the deal and the negotiations are moving ah ah ahead very quickly and very smoothly And I think it's it's a really exciting move for Liverpool and I think for the player.
00:15:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
There is a potential that one of the big Italian clubs may be drawn out by Liverpool's attempt now to take Lyon.
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was It was expected that the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan to come into inter play to try and sign this player.
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it looks like Inter Milan, according to some reports, are that club that may look to kind of launch a bid for him. And if they do, I think that will be a ah ah really interesting situation because it will give something, it will give Leone something really serious to think about because moving to Liverpool from Parma and moving to the Premier League, moving to the Premier League champions is a huge, huge step up.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the fact that Liverpool are going for him, I think, is somewhat of a departure from the way Liverpool normally do business with younger players. It's not to suggest that Liverpool don't sign young players.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
We do, and we do that all the time. But normally we we look for a greater body of work to to base a judgment on.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if there isn't that body of work, if there isn't... 100 league games or, know, two or three seasons in in a top flight league, if there isn't that, and they are young, they're 16, they're 17 years old, then we're looking at two, three, four, five million pounds, maybe maybe up to 10 million pounds as a transfer fee.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
The fact that Liverpool are willing or willing to negotiate at least with Palmer, who value their 18-year-old at between 30 and 40 million euros, I think suggests that Leone is not a project player.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's not one of these players that you, as I said, you buy for five to 10 million pounds, you stick him in the reserves, he plays a few League Cup games, increases the value of the player, increases the asset, and then you sell them on for 20, 25 million pounds for a healthy profit.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, this suggests that One, he's highly rated. And I think it suggests that this is not a normal 18 year old.
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is not an 18 year old that is going to need two to three years bedding in. I think this is someone who is, he's not normal.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's he's he's a special talent in this position at centre back. you know his physicality i think is really suited to the premier league and i just think that he's someone that if we were to sign i think he's someone that would get game time this season not regular game time of course if we get mark gay he then he's going to have van dyke and canate and gay and joe gomez if he does stay
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ahead of him. But I think he will get game time. I think he will get League Cup games. I think he will get FA Cup games. I think he'll get the odd Premier League game. I think he's that good. And I think the potential is that high with him.
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that he is someone who would tick a lot of boxes in terms of the age profiles that Liverpool are signing in the centre back positions. You know, we've got Van Dijk who is into his 30s now. I think he's 32, 33.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Canate, you know, he's mid to late 20s. If we'd sign Gehi, he's at 25. And if we sign Leone, he's 18. And so i think you've got a really good mix there of youth and experience and those players who are at their peak.
Balancing Youth and Experience in Defense
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so i think that So I think he's a really exciting signing. And I really do. i mean, it it goes without saying that I really, really hope that Liverpool sign both.
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And all the reports are suggesting that it's not one or the other. Liverpool are in for both. And I think that we we would have really strengthened our centre-back options if we get both of those players.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's move on to Alexander Isaac.
Alexander Isaac's Transfer Status
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's no real movement on this situation. It is what it is. Isaac is still kind of down towards his effectively on strike, as I mentioned yesterday.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that if we do land him, I think this is one of those transfers that's probably going to go down to the wire. know, one of those kind of last day of the transfer window, a mad dash, know, in a helicopter to the new club.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it could be that Newcastle United are looking at that. Premier League fixture at Anfield on August twenty five And they are thinking we just simply cannot sell to them and then go rock up to Anfield.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's Alexander Izak either lining up against against them, which I don't think would happen. or he's in the he's he's on the bench or he's in the stands, I think it would just the optics just would not be great for Newcastle. So I think that if we do get him, I think that they're going to wait until after that August 25th game at Anfield before sealing that deal.
Stefan Bocetich's Return
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
One more player that I'd i'd like to mention, which who's been forgotten, he's been out on loan, Stefan Bocetich. He's back in training at Liverpool.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just judging by the pictures and and the footage, he looks stronger. He just looks like a young boy that's turning into a young man. He's filling out.
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that bodes really well for Liverpool for this season. you know a fit but Pocetich is I think a huge plus for our midfield we we've obviously we're looking to strengthen the centre-back uh department we've already strengthened the fallback areas uh we've had somewhat of um a change up front some of it forced some of it through tragedy some of it with players leaving.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so the midfield area was obviously we've brought in Vietz who can play in that number 10 position. He can also play in those forward positions, but,
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah the kind of noise around Liverpool buying or needing a number six has somewhat died. You know, for the last couple of seasons, you know, everyone has been screaming out for number six, but with Gravenberg and McAllister doing so well in that double pivot, it has kind of,
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think changed lot opinions of a lot of supporters in terms of what we need in that area of the pitch. And I think that if slot does look to continue with a double pivot in that midfield and, and know preseason would suggest that nothing is going to change there.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think having another player who, you know, he's he' very adept in that position, I think can only strengthen us. So with Gravenberg, McAllister, Sir Bosley, you've got Curtis Jones, Florian Vietz, still got Harvey Elliott, although i don't think that he'll be there much longer.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so with Pocicic coming back in, I think there's plenty of room there for rotation. And maybe that will ease some of the the pressure that was on the likes of Gravenberg and McAllister, in particular, those two players who just played every minute of every game last season. and And it really showed towards the kind of back end of last season, that kind of last last third of the season where they really started to look quite heavy legged. And obviously we'd had a ah ah healthy lead in the Premier League.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so it didn't really affect anything there. But obviously we lost lost the League Cup final with the team, in particular in midfield, looking very heavy legged and just overrun. and And we looked the same in the first leg of that PSG game where we were eventually knocked out through penalties. So I think even having one more player in that position, I think will be a huge plus for for the club as we go into this season, looking to defending our Premier League title, but also really, really, really making a serious tilt towards the Champions League.
Conclusion and Upcoming Match Preview
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, that's all for today. You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. We'll be back tomorrow as we you know we build up to the game against Bournemouth on Friday night now.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've got a couple of days of preview content coming your way. So please support the show by following us wherever you get your podcast. Until then, thank you for listening.
00:25:30
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