Liverpool complete first signing of summer before transfer window even opens

Liverpool have been linked with Evan Ndicka with the Eintracht Frankfurt defender currently free to sign a preliminary contract

Only seven free agents have been signed from Jurgen Klopp-led Liverpool at Anfield, but new rumors suggest the number could rise this summer.

Their number one target, Jude Bellingham, is still Liverpool, but his signing would set a club record transfer fee of over £100million. It is believed that the Reds are still interested in Matheus Nunes and Mason Mount. So, if they did sign the England international, he wouldn’t be the only new addition to the midfield.

A deal like this, which would require three new midfielders, could cost around £200m. It is also unclear what financial resources Liverpool will have in the future given the uncertainty over their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Although the midfield is a top priority, Klopp will also have to fill other positions this summer. Ahead of the likely departures of Caoimhin Kelleher, Nat Phillips and Joel Matip, there is also a dubious need for a new backup goalkeeper and a new centre-back.

If Liverpool have made significant spending elsewhere, the money may not be available for other high-priced signings in areas that are not as important to them. As a result, Bosman’s transfers can be beneficial for the Reds.

In the past, when Liverpool signed a player at the end of the contract, it was usually either a substitute goalkeeper or an exceptionally talented young player who nevertheless demanded compensation. 

Alex Manninger, Adrian and Andy Lonergan, of Klopp’s seven free agents inductees since October 2015, ticked the first box; Dominic Solanke, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho checked for seconds.

According to the Reds’ confirmation that they entered into a pre-contractual agreement with the defender in February 2016, Matip is the only high-profile Bosman deal concluded during Klopp’s tenure.

However, current rumors indicate Liverpool may be considering a similar replacement for the Cameroonian as they continue to be linked with a move by Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka.
The 23-year-old is a quick left-back, but can also play as a left-back or defensive midfielder.

He won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt last season and has since gained crucial Champions League experience with the Bundesliga club. A threat from set pieces, he scored four Bundesliga goals last year at 6ft 3in. He is also comfortable with the ball and has previously played alongside Reds defender Ibrahima Konaté for the France youth teams.

In other words, it meets many criteria. And after turning down a final contract offer from Frankfurt, he is set to be made available on a free transfer this summer. Of course, this is another desirable trait, especially since it would allow Liverpool to allocate more transfer funds to acquiring midfielders. If Ndicka enters the final three months of his contract, interested teams will be allowed to talk to him without the Bundesliga club’s consent. Nothing therefore prevents the management of the Reds from immediately pre-signing the 23-year-old defender if Klopp is interested in him.

Of course, teams other than Liverpool are said to be keeping tabs on the centre-back, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Ndicka would still play out his contract with Frankfurt before officially continuing once it expires, but the Reds or other interested teams can now agree to sign him.

But Liverpool are increasingly linked with the France youth international and even before the transfer season opens, he could be the Reds’ first acquisition this summer.

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‘I haven’t been the same’ – Sadio Mane sent a ruthless transfer message to Liverpool

Sadio Mane left Liverpool for Bayern Munich last summer after a six-year spell at Anfield

A move to Bayern Munich ‘didn’t work out’ for Sadio Mane after the Senegal international left Liverpool for a fresh start last summer.

That’s the view of former Premier League star and radio pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, who says Mane and the Reds have hit the pads since parting ways at the end of the 2021 season- 22.

Despite losing just three games all season, Bayern Munich made a surprise move last week by sacking manager Julian Nagelsmann and replacing him with Thomas Tuchel. The German giants’ squad is said to be divided over whether their former manager should get the push, with reports suggesting Mane was in favor of offloading the manager, even though he took him from Anfield to Munich on a 27-year deal. .4 million pounds.

Mane has made 30 appearances for Bayern this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions. But he did not enjoy the hero status bestowed on Merseyside when he formed a trophy-winning attacking partnership with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino which netted nearly all of the major silverware.

Speaking of Mane on talkSPORT, . But for Liverpool he was exceptional. Liverpool haven’t been the same since he left.”

The Reds have struggled to replicate Mane’s contribution since leaving, despite signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica and Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven following the African star’s departure. Last season, Mane helped Klopp win the Carabao and FA Cups and the game in two games, having also lifted the Premier League and Champions League trophies in a standout last season.

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Liverpool FC cancel USA tour plans with new pre-season destination set

In their 2023 pre-season schedule, Liverpool had planned a visit to the US but now they are returning to the Far East.

The club was previously believed to be finalizing preparations for a US tour in July, possibly with a stop in Las Vegas.

It would coincide with Manchester United’s trip to the United States, where they face Wrexham on 25 July in San Diego. It is likely that the two Premier League clubs would have played a friendly. But as of now, Football Insider has received information from Liverpool journalist David Lynch who says the team will instead travel to Asia for a “one off tour”.

The most likely location, according to Lynch, is Singapore, where the Reds played Crystal Palace last summer.

According to reports, Liverpool have decided not to make a second visit as they felt the 2022 tour was hampering their preparations for next season.
“[Jurgen] Klopp’s belief that travel and related business commitments cut into valuable training time forced him to reconsider this summer,” added Lynch.

Plans to return to the US – where Liverpool have not been since 2019 – are said to be on hold until ‘2024 at the earliest’.

After training camps previously held in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, Klopp and his team will travel to Europe for this and will spend time at the AXA Training Center.

The manager admitted in January it was a mistake on Liverpool’s part to plan his trip to Asia last summer before undertaking significant training at Merseyside. “Would I do something different? I wouldn’t go to Asia for the first week,” she said.

“Not because Asia isn’t great, but I was going to go to Asia in week three or something, but it really wasn’t in our hands.”

Whilst an important part of many sponsorship deals, including those with main shirt sponsor Standard Chartered, pre-season commercial responsibilities can no doubt be a distraction at a crucial stage in campaign buildup.