Liverpool finally look ready to make their first signing of the summer transfer window in the next day or two.
To many, the Reds have had an exceptionally poor off-season this year, so far failing to bring in a single new player.
That imminently looks set to change with Liverpool closing in on Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. The goalkeeper will reportedly re-join his old club on-loan before linking up with the Reds in the future.
Quite when that will be has not been decided yet. However, what is clear is that when he arrives at Anfield, Mamardashvili will likely do so as Liverpool’s new No.1.
Obviously, with Alisson Becker in absolutely no need of being replaced anytime soon, this has led to suggestions that the popular Brazilian may have indicated a desire to leave.
Is Alisson ready to leave Liverpool?
Although supporters want signings in the last week of the window, Liverpool going in for a new starting goalkeeper this summer is obviously a real concern.
According to former England striker Darren Bent, Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. You’d be hard pushed to find anybody who wants him replaced.
That Liverpool are ready to spend relatively big money on Mamardashvili would suggest that they’re doing so in order to plan for Alisson’s exit, however.
With rumours swirling that Saudi Arabia recently offered Alisson big money to join them, some have already deduced that the 31-year-old may have communicated his readiness to leave in a year or two to Liverpool.
But speaking in an interview with The Kop Council, journalist James Pearce says that to his knowledge, no such conversation has taken place between the Reds and their goalkeeper.
“I think some people thought it’s the case that Alisson has served notice that he intends to leave in 12 months or 24 months,” says Pearce.
“From the people I’ve spoken to, I was told that it’s just purely succession planning in terms of Liverpool think this really talented goalkeeper is available on the market at a price which they think undervalues just how good he is.
“We know there’s been strong interest in Alisson from Saudi,” adds the reporter.
“Up to now the word back has always been ‘no, he’s not interested in that, it’s not something that appeals to him’, but we don’t know if that’s going to change in the windows to come.”
What’s the plan for Liverpool?
While on the one hand this is absolutely excellent news, it does raise the question of what does Alisson feel about Liverpool bringing in his likely replacement ahead of time?
It is obviously the kind of ‘opportunistic’ deal sporting director Richard Hughes was referring to upon his appointment at Anfield. But it is also rather an unnecessary one if Alisson is not planning on going anywhere.
Yes, Mamardashvili is only 23, but you can’t keep him bouncing around on-loan forever. His value is unlikely to increase too much that way, either.
The other moving part in all of this is of course Caoimhin Kelleher and his own future as Liverpool’s No.2.With Kelleher’s contract set to end in 2026 it seems unlikely that he’ll sign another as back-up for the Reds.
As a result, if the Irishman is not sold this summer – and that now seems unlikely – perhaps he’ll go next year, with Mamardashvili coming in to replace him, before eventually taking the gloves from Ali.
