Liverpool are exploiting the hesitancy of Chelsea and Real Madrid as they look to seal a world record transfer for goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
If you are a Liverpool fan this is will feel unusual for you. The Reds are rarely the aggressor in the transfer market. (Southampton excluded). We are usually the ones waiting until the last moment; trying to save every penny. But Liverpool are taking full advantage of the situations at Real Madrid and Chelsea to push through a transfer for Roma goalie Alisson Becker.
Liverpool have made a £62 million bid for the Brazilian World Cup star that includes and initial fee of £53 million and £9 million of add-ons. That smashed the world record of £35 million for a goalkeeper paid by Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
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With both Chelsea & Real Madrid interested in Alisson you would not be blamed for presuming that Liverpool would be trailing in the race for his signature. However the club have sensed an opportunity and are aggressively exploiting the situations at both clubs.
Chelsea don’t yet know if they need a new goalkeeper. Current number one Thibaut Courtois is an outstanding goalie and excelled for Belgium at the World Cup. However he is eyeing a move away from Stamford Bridge. And it is Real who are the favorites to nab him.
Real Madrid have other priorities. They have a Cristiano Ronaldo sized hole to fill in their squad. Any likely replacement – Eden Hazard? Kylain Mbappe? Neymar? – is going to cost a fortune. They may not be tying up other huge deals until they know how a mega-transfer may play out.
They have also just won three Champions League finals in a row with Keylor Navas in goal. They clearly want to upgrade at the goalkeeper position but it is not a desperate situation for them in the same way it is for Liverpool.
Real know that both Alisson Becker and Courtois would choose to play for them. They can make their other moves and address the goalkeeper position later in the window or even in January or next summer.
Next: 5 Reasons Alisson Will Choose Liverpool Over Real Madrid
That leaves Liverpool as the only side able to make a big move right now. At to our great delight they are not dithering or being cheapskates. Let’s hope this new aggressive transfer policy is here to stay.