Liverpool: Reds race Spurs for Dutchman; defender deal close; Flanagan latest

Add as preferred source on Google

The focus of Liverpool’s transfer activity has shifted from attack to defence, after the sale of Martin Skrtel and the news of injury set backs for Joe Gomez, Mamdou Sakho, and possibly even an ankle strain for Joel Matip. This has left them looking very light at centre-back with the new season less than a month away.

In order to rectify this, Jurgen Klopp is reported to be close to securing a deal for 30-year-old Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan for around £4 million. Whilst not a signing that will set the world alight, the Estonian plays at the back for a side that are tough to beat in the Bundesliga, and even played Liverpool in the Europa League last season, losing 1-0 on aggregate.

Embed from Getty Images

Klavan will not be coming in to dislodge Lovren, Sakho or Matip from the first team, but Liverpool need back-up at centre-back, and a cheap, no nonsense signing like Klavan provides that cover with plenty of confidence that he won’t let the team down. A sensible, if not exciting transfer.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have reportedly leapt to the front of the queue in the race to secure the signing of Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum. This is not the first time this summer that the Reds have been linked to the Dutchman, but Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have always been considered to be ahead of the Anfield side in the hunt for the former-PSV captain.

Things have changed over the last few days, though. Everton and Spurs have been put off by Newcastle’s valuation of £25 million, a whole £11 million higher than Wijnaldum cost them the summer before, but Liverpool are confident that they could secure the deal for closer to £20 million.

Embed from Getty Images

If the Reds were to pull off the deal for around £20 million, it would represent a very good piece of business by all parties. Wijnaldum is an intelligent footballer, who scored an impressive 11 goals on his debut Premier League season, despite playing under the disastrous appointment of Steve McLaren as the Magpies’ manager. Furthermore, he is also an excellent athlete and has the energy to join in with Klopp’s high pressing game.

He may not go straight into the first team; with Firmino, Coutinho, Mane, Lallana and Milner as competition, but his versatility and ability to play in the centre of midfield and out wide will stand him in good stead at Anfield and provide Klopp with plenty of options. His signing would certainly improve the Liverpool squad, and £20 million is a fair price for a player who has shown himself to be a good Premier League player.

As for Newcastle, they could continue to rebuild their squad for the Championship with a significant financial advantage over their rivals. A good deal for everyone.

Finally, Jurgen Klopp has decided that defender Jon Flanagan will be remaining at Anfield for the upcoming season. Flanagan; who had been linked with both Celtic and Burnley, has had plenty of injury problems over the last two seasons, but as a born and bred Scouser, would have been thoroughly reluctant to leave the club. Even if he doesn’t make much of an impact on the first team, the fans love having Flanagan at the club, and would have been sad to see him leave.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Ian Johnson