Liverpool tipped to sign “immense” £138k-p/w attacker as Shaqiri alternative – Report
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Chelsea - London Stadium, London, Britain - July 1, 2020 Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their second goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Michael Regan/Pool via REUTERS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo, journalist Graham Ruthven has tipped Chelsea winger Willian as the potential solution to manager Jurgen Klopp’s attacking conundrum for next season’s Premier League title defence – especially with Xherdan Shaqiri’s future in doubt and the fact he could come to Anfield as a free agent.
Willian, who has displayed good form throughout the 2019/2020 campaign under Frank Lampard, scoring eight goals and assisting five others in 24 league starts, has now been tipped with a Merseyside move due to the fact he seemingly fits a lot of criteria.
Should Liverpool sign Willian?
Labelled a potentially ‘pragmatic‘ signing by journalist Ruthven, the Brazilian’s soon-to-be stance as a free agent could open the door for Klopp to sign him – especially given Fenway Sports Group’s stance on big money moves this summer due to recent events.
Indeed, partly as a result of revenue losses, Liverpool were unable to lodge a bid for long-time target Timo Werner – with Chelsea eventually swooping in to pay his £45 million release clause.
Given our need to strengthen ahead of 2020/2021, Willian has now emerged as a real candidate to succeed attacker Shaqiri and provide some extra creative flair – potentially as a substitute behind the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Labelled as ‘immense‘ by Lampard due to his performances this season, the £138,000-per-week winger clearly has the experience and quality necessary to deputise and make an impact behind our front three.
The 31-year-old also scored a brace on Wednesday night during Chelsea’s shock 3-2 loss at West Ham, with the only question being if Klopp and co will indeed take a gamble and move for his bargain signature.