Merseyside return for Luis Alberto could see Liverpool receive big cash reward

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Former Liverpool playmaker Luis Alberto is reportedly a target for Merseyside rivals Everton this summer. Corriere della Sera is reporting that Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of the Spaniard and wants to bring him to Goodison Park. 

This news might have some Liverpool fans worried. Alberto is considered one that got away by many at Anfield. As reported by BBC Sport, Liverpool flogged Alberto to Lazio for just £4.3 million in 2016. It came after a disappointing spell under Brendan Rodgers, which saw the former Barcelona youth talent head out on loans to Malaga and Deportivo. 

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Alberto then ‘failed to impress’ Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2016 and he was sold permanently to the Italian side. 

Since then, Alberto has been a sensation in Italy. This season he leads the assist charts in Serie A as the Biancocelesti surprisingly top the league.

So the idea Alberto could end up across Stanley Park and show Liverpool what they are missing will not sit easy. 

However, if Everton were to sign Alberto, Liverpool would also be set for a huge cash windfall. 

According to the BBC, Liverpool included a massive 30 percent sell-on clause in their deal to sell Alberto in 2016. It means the Reds will take a 30 percent stake of the transfer fee if Lazio sells the Spanish midfield maestro.

How much could that be worth to Liverpool? It depends on how much an interested party pays. 

Alberto will not be cheap. Lazio’s president Claudio Lotito is known to be a hard negotiator. Last summer, as reported by Corriere Dello Sport, Lazio rejected a €30 million (£26m) bid from Sevilla for his services. If that bid had been accepted, Liverpool would have received £7.8 million. 

But considering Alberto’s incredible form in Lazio’s engaging title challenge, there is no way he will be leaving for less than £30 million. In the summer of 2018, Lazio sold an out of form Felipe Anderson to West Ham United for a reported (BBC) £36 million. It is hard to see Alberto leaving for any less this summer.

Everton might end up indirectly having to pay Liverpool well over £10 million for a player the Reds ditched just four years ago. 

No doubt the Liverpool faithful will take great pleasure in that potential scenario.