Liverpool have sold Rhian Brewster to Sheffield United.
Michael Edwards is at it again. The hero in a cape for Liverpool. It was always believed that the club would purchase players only if they were confident of recuperating their expenses through the sale of existing players.
Well, he has done precisely that.
Rhian Brewster has moved to United. Chris Wilder’s side are set to sign a bright forward who has an eye for goal and have beaten Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle to his signature.
Sky Sports reported that the Blades, who are yet to score a goal in the Premier League, will pay £23.5 million for the starlet.
Brewster, who bagged ten goals during a six-month loan spell at Swansea, could fire them to success. He’s a real poacher with an eye for goal – something Wilder has lacked.
The deal seems to be one chalked with one eye on the future. Liverpool have inserted a 15% sell-on clause in case Sheffield United sell the player, while also retaining a buy-back clause – which is valid for three years.
Many fans were quite perplexed at the decision to let Brewster go on a permanent deal. However, Jurgen Klopp did feel that despite his ability to score and poach goals, some other skills needed improvement.
It was only with game time that he would improve. Fans expected that he could end up staying and transition as a regular just like Trent Alexander-Arnold did.
Also, it was Brewster who demanded that he get regular minutes in the Premier League, which Klopp could not promise with Roberto Firmino, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi all ahead of him in the pecking order.
The buy-back clause is important and it means that Liverpool will be able to bring him back to Anfield if the forward develops in the manner many expect him to. Their investment in his development is still secure.
If he doesn’t, and Sheffield sell him and Klopp doesn’t want Brewster back, Liverpool still benefit as they will receive 15% of the sale. The structure of this contract is almost as beautiful as a curling effort from outside the box that floats into the top corner.
Along with Brewster, it is likely that Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic might all leave to help bring in funds that Liverpool spent on bringing their summer signings in.