Liverpool reignite interest in £100m Wirtz alternative

Florian Wirtz is the identify on everybody’s lips at Liverpool proper now, with FSG having taken the lead within the race to signal the Germany worldwide, who can be being courted by Bayern Munich.

That is based on The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who broke the information this night that the Bundesliga champions are afraid of Anfield, the truth is rising resigned to the truth that the 22-year-old will be part of Liverpool if he switches membership this summer season.

Manchester Metropolis had a powerful curiosity in bringing him in, however have taken a step again provided that Wirtz’s employers are believed to worth him within the ballpark of €150m (£126m).

Nonetheless, Spanish sources imagine the Reds would wish to money in on some present high quality with a purpose to facilitate a transfer, and with Barcelona hoping to signal Luis Diaz, some differing cogs may fall into place.

Whereas Darwin Nunez can be anticipated to depart Anfield, Diaz, 28, has been certainly one of Arne Slot’s most essential gamers, however ought to be bought this summer season nonetheless.

Why Liverpool ought to promote Luis Diaz

Diaz joined Liverpool from FC Porto in January 2022 for a payment rising to £49m, ostensibly as Sadio Mane’s successor, for the Senegalese celebrity left for Bayern Munich the next summer season.

He is ebbed and flowed, partly as a consequence of a crushing damage suffered throughout his first full season, however who can say Diaz hasn’t loved a particular season underneath Slot’s wing, prolific and dynamic in a Premier League-winning staff?

Nonetheless, he is hardly irreplaceable, and getting into the penultimate 12 months of his contract apart from. The Colombian has performed as a left winger and a makeshift centre-forward this 12 months, and Cody Gakpo holds down the fort on the flank and FSG are trying to find a brand new quantity 9.

If Barcelona are critical about their curiosity and keen to pay a €80m (£68m) payment, as has been recommended in Spain, to drag Diaz from Merseyside, this could be one thing the membership ought to think about, particularly as they’re trying to find new attacking cogs.

Although Wirtz is the dream, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes might be hedging his bets till the second of fact, and certainly seems to have recognized an alternate who might nonetheless show an improve on Diaz, one of many Premier League’s standout wingers.

Liverpool reignite curiosity in PL star

As per Soccer Insider, Liverpool are nonetheless considering signing Newcastle United ahead Anthony Gordon, almost one 12 months on from exploring a deal for the England worldwide because the Magpies sweated over PSR limitations.

Gordon, a boyhood Liverpool fan who was launched from the academy earlier than becoming a member of Everton aged 11, had knowledgeable his internal circle that he wished to make the transfer make to Merseyside, and although he is now signed a brand new long-term deal at St. James’ Park, would nonetheless be open to the switch.

After all, the truth could be much more strenuous for the Reds given the 24-year-old is valued at £100m by his aspect, who’re in an excellent place to qualify for the Champions League forward of the weekend’s culminating spherical of Premier League fixtures.

Why Anthony Gordon could be an improve on Diaz

Whether or not Liverpool would have the means to signal each Wirtz and Gordon after including full-backs on either side of the backline and with the continuing want for a brand new striker stays to be seen. Nonetheless, it is unlikely all of this could occur.

As a substitute, Gordon could possibly be signed as a contingency if issues do not fall into place relating to Wirtz, and the Newcastle man has sufficient high quality to nonetheless show an improve on the high-flying Diaz.

Gordon may not have had fairly the identical 12 months because the 2023/24 marketing campaign, by which his talismanic performances helped Newcastle via damage woes, sealing a person accolade as United’s Participant of the 12 months.

He hit 28 direct purpose involvements, which is greater than Diaz has ever achieved in a single marketing campaign for Liverpool. Furthermore, Gordon is 4 years youthful than Anfield’s man, thus with loads of scope for progress.

After all, this is not to say he hasn’t loved an excellent 12 months on Tyneside, scoring 9 objectives and including seven assists from 32 begins throughout all competitions.

He additionally ranks among the many high 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers within the Premier League this season for profitable crosses made into the penalty space per 90, as per FBref, which is a weapon Liverpool might definitely do with if they’re to signal a recognised focal frontman this summer season.

However his most attention-grabbing software, apart from some immense physicality and athleticism, the cornerstones of his ability set, is his fluidity, used throughout totally different attacking areas since leaving Everton for Newcastle in a £45m deal again in January 2023.

As you’ll be able to see, Gordon’s been ferried in regards to the frontline throughout his time in Eddie Howe’s system, although it is clear he is at his rip-roaring finest when in his pure left-sided berth, with blistering velocity and difficult toes permitting him to get the higher of even the meanest defenders on the continent.

It is a additional illustration of how he might exchange Diaz, whose glorious season at Liverpool boils right down to his skill to supply reduction as a striker, thus permitting Gakpo to play off the wing.

Gordon’s price ticket is additional proof that he has what it takes to develop into a celebrity in pink. Not only a potent menace, the English winger averages one sort out and 4.4 profitable duels per sport this season, bringing a tenacious angle that emphasises his dynamic underlying qualities.

He is additionally youthful now than Diaz was when he first signed for Liverpool (25 years outdated). Whereas Liverpool’s chiefs could be cautious of spending £100m on an attacking participant who did not hit double figures in objectives or assists this season, Gordon’s expertise is unquestionable, having described himself as a “nightmare to play in opposition to.”

If a deal for Wirtz falls via, that is the one to go for.