It was not a transfer for Martin Zubimendi to Liverpool, even that, according to many media, was a deal that was almost done. Manager Arne Slot is ready to move on and is now apparently aiming for a deal for compatriot Frenkie De Jong instead.
Barcelona, who want to avoid paying one of Europe’s highest football salaries as soon as possible, are more than willing to compromise on the price they demand.
Slot has done surprisingly well at Anfield since succeeding Jurgen Klopp as manager and currently has an incredible win record of 77,78%, with wins in 28 of his 36 games. Another win on Thursday night could see Liverpool reach the Carabao Cup final and potentially push the Dutchman one game away from his first silverware, even if they have to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Tottenham at Anfield.
With the Reds also flying high in the Premier League and Champions League, the Reds are preparing for what they hope could prove to be one of the most successful seasons in their history – a fact made even more remarkable by the fact that Slot has only added one name – Federico Chiesa – to the squad he inherited last summer.
One player who missed out was Zubimendi, who had agreed a move to Anfield before pulling the plug at the last minute.
That news will have disappointed Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes who have put a lot of effort into bringing the Real Sociedad star to Merseyside. But when one door closes, another opens, and now Caught Offside claims that the Reds are ready to give the green light to sign an option in the form of Barcelona star De Jong.
The Dutch midfielder has been at Barcelona since a 2019 move from Ajax, and he has made 234 appearances during his six-and-a-half full seasons at the club.
However, he has fallen down the priority list of Hansi Flick this season, and with only 18 months left on his deal, it looks increasingly likely for a departure from the Nou Camp this summer.
And while Barcelona have held talks with the 27-year-old over a new deal, these negotiations have hit a brick wall with the midfielder unwilling to accept the significant reduction in salary they are proposing.
As a result, CaughtOffside claims that Liverpool officials are actively discussing the possibility of bringing De Jong to Merseyside this summer with Hughes to decipher whether his qualities will be transferable to Slot’s system.
And amid claims that they are ready to make their move, they have been further lifted by the fact that Barcelona are only likely to charge a fee of around €35 million to allow his departure, and his deal has just 12 months left before the summer window.
However, according to the report, De Jong is not the only option Liverpool are considering to increase their midfield options. And with Slot determined to add another midfielder to his ranks this summer – and despite the ever-impressive form of Ryan Gravenberch – the Reds are also reported to be following Stuttgart’s three-time German midfielder Angelo Stiller as an option.
The midfielder would be more in line with Liverpool’s transfer policy of signing stars who have yet to reach the top and who will blossom into world beaters at Anfield, with both his profile and age – 23 – largely characterising the type of player they have been aiming for in their recent past.
And while he extended his deal at Anfield until 2028 just last month, Sky Germany has reported that his deal includes an exit clause that allows him to move forward if a suitor pays his €40 million valuation.
Stiller, who has made 65 appearances over two seasons as a Stuttgart player, has also ironically been linked with Barcelona as a possible successor to De Jong.
However, with Barca’s financial woes well documented, Liverpool would be the favourites to secure his signing if they followed through on their initial interest.
