Liverpool on the verge of another transformative signing

Liverpool are on the verge of another transformative signing.

Sporting director Michael Edwards doesn’t subscribe to the trolley dash method of transfer negotiation. Instead, he boxes clever.

Edwards waits for the right opportunity and times his approach perfectly. It’s what allowed Liverpool to bring Thiago to Anfield for a distastefully low fee, and the machinations of another transformative deal are being worked out.

The arrival of the former Bayern Munich man changed how we think of the recruitment team. When rumours first broke, we said he was too old or too injury prone or didn’t fit with the model Jurgen Klopp and Edwards liked.

But Klopp appreciated what he saw: a world-class midfielder capable of bringing something different to his squad. And crucially, Thiago was available on the cheap.

It may have been a protracted negotiating period but in the end Liverpool got their man. And they could be at it again.

Bayern Munich look set to lose another key player because they’re coming up to the end of their contract with no resolution in site. And the Reds are interested. Again.

David Alaba has rejected a third attempt from Munich to tie him to fresh terms, reported Bild. Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Austrian, said the Echo, and he would be a fine player to sign.

While he’s not a genuine central defender, he did feature and excel there during Bayern’s Champions League winning campaign and is a leader.

His coach, Hansi Flick, couldn’t speak more highly of Alaba. The Echo reported that he said:

"“I feel he’s the same as last season, very focused, loud on the pitch. He’s one of the players who leads our defence. For me, there’s no difference between now and last season.”"

Alaba is highly vocal, positionally intelligent, versatile and can help transform Liverpool alongside Virgil van Dijk. Klopp would then be able to sell Joel Matip, or use him more sparingly in an attempt to stop the sheer volume of injuries that have ruined his Merseyside career.

We’ve got an elite player, a contract dispute and a Liverpool rumour. I think I’ve seen this story before?