Latest news with #transfers
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Liverpool's Transfer Windows Have Evolved Over the Past Decade
Liverpool Transfers: Lessons from History and the Arne Slot Era Liverpool's transfer strategy is once again in the spotlight as the club looks to build upon Arne Slot's historic debut Premier League title. On the Daily Red podcast from Anfield Index, host Dave Hendrick provided a searing retrospective on Liverpool's transfer history, offering deep insight into the missteps of the past and the importance of getting recruitment right in the present. Transfer Decisions and Financial Planning Hendrick opened the show with a timely reminder: 'The Reds are Premier League champions.' He noted that Milos Kerkez has been confirmed as a new signing and explained that, 'the Kerkez deal, the Wirtz deal, the Mamardashvili deal and the Frimpong deal will all be on the 24/25 ledger.' He added that July 1st would mark the beginning of a new financial year, which could open the door for moves for players like Alexander Isak or Gonçalo Inácio. Advertisement Importantly, Hendrick framed these timings within the club's compliance with profit and sustainability rules. 'It's good for us to split it because it means that we don't have too much of a financial hit in one year.' He acknowledged that Liverpool have held back on certain deals such as Jarell Quansah's exit or potential moves involving Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, likely for similar accounting reasons. Past Mistakes and Transfer Tragedies Hendrick didn't hold back as he analysed the transfer failures of the past. Referring to Graeme Souness' reign, he said, 'the biggest mistake was probably selling Peter Beardsley… he was still one of the best players in the league four years after this.' He revisited the infamous summer of 2014 under Brendan Rodgers, describing it as 'an atrocity… borderline war crime.' Reflecting on the post-Suárez spending spree, Hendrick recalled, 'Brendan Rodgers spent 24 million pounds on Adam Lallana,' despite the club already having Philippe Coutinho. 'We had Mamadou Sakho… and Rodgers insisted we spend 20 million on Dejan 'the pebble' Lovren,' he added with scorn. Advertisement But the most scathing remark was reserved for one signing in particular: 'We signed Ricky [expletive] Lambert to replace Luis Suárez… people actually tried to pretend it was something that was going to work.' It was, according to Hendrick, 'the biggest catastrophe of that summer.' Slot's Approach and Future Strategy While Hendrick didn't directly critique Arne Slot's transfer activity, his breakdown made clear how much damage poor recruitment has caused in the past. The emphasis on strategic, financially timed acquisitions in the current window stands in stark contrast to the rash decisions of previous regimes. Liverpool's recent successes in the market under Michael Edwards and later Julian Ward appear to be the benchmark. As Hendrick observed, 'We've been really good in the transfer market for the majority of the last ten years.' With Arne Slot now leading the team and the club in a strong position both on the pitch and in the balance sheet, the lessons from history are more relevant than ever. Avoiding past pitfalls—like buying for the sake of it or caving to public pressure—is vital. And as Liverpool continues their rebuild, Hendrick's insight provides a compelling reminder: smart transfers win titles, but poor ones can cost you years.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool agree fifth summer signing as transfer spree continues
Liverpool continue to be the busiest Premier League club in the transfer window after agreeing a deal for their fifth signing of the summer. The Merseyside outfit wasted little time in getting down to business after winning the title at a canter in 2024/25, suggesting they are not ready to rest on their laurels. Advertisement Jeremie Frimpong was the first to arrive at Anfield in a £29 million deal with Bayer Leverkusen, replacing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer. That preceded the blockbuster signing of Florian Wirtz from the same German club in a deal worth up to £116m, providing a major boost to Arne Slot's squad. Goalkeeper Armin Pecsi arrived from Puskas Akademia in a £3 million deal in early June after Caoimhín Kelleher moved to Brentford, while Milos Kerkez completed his £40m move from Bournemouth this week. Liverpool agree fifth summer signing as transfer spree continues The latest player to join the Reds' ranks is former Newcastle United shot stopper Freddie Woodman. Liverpool announced on Saturday that the goalkeeper had agreed to sign a contract with the club following the expiration of his deal at Preston North End later this month. Advertisement The 28-year-old will provide cover for Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who arrives this summer after Liverpool agreed a £29m deal with Valencia last year. Importantly, Woodman is a homegrown player, meaning he won't take up one of Liverpool's 17 non-homegrown slots on the UEFA squad list. Liverpool have now spent £172m, which could rise to £188m, this summer, but they are still not done in the transfer window. They have also been linked with possible moves for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. Read – RB Leipzig join chase for Liverpool midfielder See Also – Five Bundesliga players Premier League clubs should be interested in this summer Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Named: The SIX centre-backs on Liverpool's transfer shortlist
Zeze, Mosquera and Ordonez named as Liverpool targets First is Nathan Zeze, the 19-year-old Nantes central defender who plays for France under-21s. It's not the first time the Reds have been linked with Zeze, who is tied to his hometown club until 2028. Advertisement Next the report names Cristhian Mosquera - the Valencia stopper who features for Spain under-21s. The 21-year-old is a Valencia homegrown talent but has only got a contract with Los Che until 2026. Then there's Joel Ordonez. The Ecuadorian has been a revelation since moving to European football with Club Brugge. The 21-year-old already has got 82 matches under his belt for the Belgians and was a mainstay in their Champions League fixtures last season. Colwill back on the Liverpool shortlist Other contenders named in the report include Ousmane Diomande, the Sporting CP defender who is set to command a big fee if he moves this summer. Advertisement The club also admire Jorrel Hato, according to the report, and that tallies with a report last week from Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast. However, the latest suggestions appear to indicate Arsenal have stolen a march on the Reds for the 19-year-old Dutchman. Rounding off the report is a mention of Levi Colwill. It's no secret that Chelsea are seeking centre-backs this summer. Although the 22-year-old played plenty last season for Enzo Maresca, he could be squeezed out this summer. Liverpool have been linked with Colwill in the past, who can play either left-back or centre-back.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool agree deal to sign World Cup winner
Liverpool are signing a World Champion after agreeing a deal to bring him to the club. It's been a busy summer for the Reds so far. Richard Hughes is working on reshaping Arne Slot's squad after a relatively quiet January and summer 2024 window. Advertisement This time around Liverpool have acted early to bring in Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Armin Pecsi and Milos Kerkez. And there are plans to reinforce the squad even further. Liverpool want to bring in a no.9 and a centre-back. For those positions, the Reds have set their sights on Marc Guehi and a dream move for Alexander Isak. Whether those moves can be completed remains to be seen. Liverpool will certainly do everything in their power to make it happen. But Newcastle and Crystal Palace respectively will not want to give up their star players easily. It's now up to Hughes to once again do what he has done best. Advertisement One deal that Liverpool fans do not need to worry about is the signing of Freddie Woodman. Liverpool have confirmed on their official account that they have agreed a deal to sign Woodman on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract at Preston North End. It's a transfer that has come out of nowhere with Woodman set to become Liverpool's fifth signing of the window. However, it's a transfer that is a major coup for the Reds once again. In Woodman they are bringing in someone who will be the club's third choice goalkeeper competing alongside Armin Pecsi for the spot. He's a player who is homegrown so he can be registered in the Champions League squad without taking a non-homegrown spot - this is not the case for Pecsi. Advertisement So that means Woodman frees up a non-homegrown spot and Liverpool can register him for the competition. But in general this is a goalkeeper with a solid CV for a 28-year-old. He is an England U21 international. He won the Championship Golden Glove award in 2021 and he's also a World Champion. Woodman lifted the U20 World Cup in South Korea with England back in 2017. He more than played his part in the tournament, making a crucial save in the final against Venezuela to ensure the Three Lions won the game 1-0. After the final whistle, Woodman was also awarded the Golden Glove award for the tournament.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
How window shopping will shape EPL's Big Six
Gazing at the Club World Cup (CWC) or peering through the transfer window? Either way, fans have had plenty to keep entertained. It's been over a month since the EPL season ended, and less than two before the new one starts. A stop-start window has been open for just three weeks in total, yet the Big Six have already coughed up £600 million. Half of it has been spent by Liverpool and Manchester City, with Chelsea a sluggish – for them – third at a mere £100m. Until yesterday, it was effectively only the Big Five as Arsenal were still fiddling with the latch. Finding it as hard to sign a striker as to lift a trophy, the Gunners have a new football director in Andrea Beti who likes to line up all his ducks before taking aim. Long-suffering Gooners had their hopes fleetingly raised when news broke of a Brentford player joining. Alas, it was neither Bryan Mbuemo nor Yoane Wissa, but another defensive midfielder. No disrespect to Christian Norgaard, but a 31-year-old defensive midfielder for £10m was not what the North Bank is looking for. It might be a prudent move as Thomas Partey seems to be in the exit zone, but the need is for a S-T-R-I-K-E-R and it is getting desperate. Real Madrid's Rodrygo is the latest to be linked, but will the Kroenkes meet the €90m (£76m) asking price for the Brazilian? They paid £106m for Declan Rice so what's stopping them? Now that Liverpool has been linked with Victor Gyokores and Benjamin Sesko is deemed too expensive, few alternatives remain. Another inquiry about Ollie Watkins? Darwin Nunez? Mikel Arteta might as well ask Thierry Henry if he still fancies it. If Arsenal are serious about rising one place in the table, they must bite the bullet and get Rodrygo. With 119 goal contributions in 268 appearances for Los Blancos, the silky Brazilian is just 24 and has won everything at club level. At £76m, he's a bargain. Martin Zubimendi is said to be in London to finalise his move from Real Sociedad and they've looked at Anthony Gordon after Bayern inquired about Gabriel Martinelli. But having all that quality in the middle of the park is no good if you can't put the ball in the net. You'd think they'd know by now. The claim that Liverpool could spend another £200m without worrying about PSR – according to the Liverpool Echo – is sure to scare rivals. It seems unlikely that owners Fenway Sports Group would go that far, which would even bring £150m Alexander Isak into range, and they could use a striker. However, the Reds may conclude that the cheaper Swede offers better value at half the price. Liverpool also needs a centre-back with Jarrell Quansah headed for Bayer Leverkusen, while Ibrahima Konate is unhappy with the new deal offered. They're also likely to raise north of £100m from offloads with Nunez, perhaps Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas, Ben Doak, Federico Chiesa, besides Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher, who has already left for Brentford. Harvey Elliott might still be among them, but his stunning efforts, including four goals, in helping England to the European U21s final, may give Slot pause for thought. With newcomers Florian Wirtz, Jeremy Frimpong and Milos Kerkez already on board, the champions are the team to beat. Manchester City may disagree with no less than eight signings since January. With a decision on the 115 charges looming mid-season, they brought in four players, headlined by Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, for a total of £142m. Egypt's Marmoush is everything Erling Haaland isn't as a striker and could find himself preferred to the Norwegian if he maintains last season's form. With the verdict still awaited, they added four more recruits this month and have Rodri and Oscar Bobb returning to fitness. City fans may not recognise their team when the new season starts. As bullish about the CWC as they are about the verdict, they seem in a hurry to prove a point. And they even like the CWC. If they suffer no punishment in the legal case, they will be contenders once again. Chelsea's headline signing is Liam Delap for just £30m from Ipswich but there will be more to come. And by advancing from the group stage, have already paid for the striker with obscene prize money. Manchester United appear acutely aware that a lack of goals is a big problem by paying the £62.5m release clause fee for Matheus Cunha. They're also chasing Mbuemo but, you have to ask if they've done their due diligence on the Brazilian. Cunha is a well-known maverick with a quick temper and selfish streak, the very characteristics that are causing them to offload Alessandro Garnacho. They need some good sales to ensure they can keep paying out big bucks for new recruits, but wantaways are not that easy to shift as Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are showing. Removing perceived bad apples may not be enough if Ruben Amorim fails to forge a cohesive unit. Unless there's a notable improvement, you wonder how long the Portuguese can last. The other great under-performers from last season decided it was the manager who had to go. Spurs got rid of Ange Postecoglou despite the Aussie ending their trophy drought. Replacement Thomas Frank has done a great job at Brentford on a low budget and having his best players plucked by the big boys whenever they shine. But a sign that Spurs will be tightening the defence and going for youth can be seen in their new additions. Japan's Kota Takai, Croatia's Luka Vuskovic and Austrian Kevin Danso, whose loan was converted, you have a trio of centre-backs. And add the former duo to Archie Gray, 19, Wilson Odobert, 20, Lucas Bergvall, 19, Antonin Kinsky, 22, Yang Min-hyeok, 19, and Mathys Tel, 20, you have an exciting and youthful core of players. Frank, the cool-headed father figure, could just be the man to lead them to greater things. By the time Liverpool kick the season off at home to Bournemouth on August 15, some teams will be barely recognisable. It promises to be quite a battle and an awful lot of cash will be spent before it even starts. Keep your eyes on that window! The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
