Liverpool reignite curiosity in £100m Wirtz various

Florian Wirtz is the title 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 in keeping with The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who broke the information this night that the Bundesliga champions are terrified of Anfield, actually rising resigned to the truth that the 22-year-old will be part of Liverpool if he switches membership this summer time.

Manchester Metropolis had a powerful curiosity in bringing him in, however have taken a step again on condition 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 as a way to facilitate a transfer, and with Barcelona hoping to signal Luis Diaz, some differing cogs would possibly fall into place.

Whereas Darwin Nunez is additionally anticipated to depart Anfield, Diaz, 28, has been considered one of Arne Slot‘s most vital gamers, however ought to be offered this summer time 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 famous person left for Bayern Munich the next summer time.

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

Nonetheless, he is hardly irreplaceable, and coming into the penultimate yr of his contract in addition to. The Colombian has performed as a left winger and a makeshift centre-forward this yr, and Cody Gakpo holds down the fort on the flank and FSG are looking for a brand new quantity 9.

If Barcelona are severe about their curiosity and prepared to pay a €80m (£68m) payment, as has been instructed in Spain, to drag Diaz from Merseyside, this may be one thing the membership ought to think about, particularly as they’re looking for new attacking cogs.

Although Wirtz is the dream, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes can 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 concerned about signing Newcastle United ahead Anthony Gordon, practically one yr 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 interior 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 fact can be way 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 can 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 may occur.

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

Gordon won’t have had fairly the identical yr because the 2023/24 marketing campaign, wherein his talismanic performances helped Newcastle by way of damage woes, sealing a person accolade as United’s Participant of the Yr.

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 development.

After all, this is not to say he hasn’t loved an excellent yr on Tyneside, scoring 9 targets 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 actually do with if they’re to signal a recognised focal frontman this summer time.

However his most fascinating software, apart from some immense physicality and athleticism, the cornerstones of his talent set, is his fluidity, used throughout completely 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 concerning the frontline throughout his time in Eddie Howe’s system, although it is clear he is at his rip-roaring greatest when in his pure left-sided berth, with blistering velocity and tough toes permitting him to get the higher of even the meanest defenders on the continent.

This can be a additional illustration of how he might substitute Diaz, whose wonderful season at Liverpool boils all the way down to his capacity to offer aid 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 turn out to be a famous person in pink. Not only a potent menace, the English winger averages one deal with and 4.4 profitable duels per recreation 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 previous). Whereas Liverpool’s chiefs can be cautious of spending £100m on an attacking participant who didn’t hit double figures in targets or assists this season, Gordon’s expertise is unquestionable, having described himself as a “nightmare to play towards.”

If a deal for Wirtz falls by way of, that is the one to go for.