Liverpool are not looking to bring Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly or Sevilla centre-half Diego Carlos to Anfield, according to reports.
What’s the latest?
The Reds are actively looking in the transfer market to bolster the strength of their squad after winning the Premier League for the first time in their history and their first league title since 1990.
After their recent successes on the pitches over the past year, the Merseysiders have turned themselves into an attractive prospect for players across the globe, having won the Champions League in 2019.
Liverpool have been linked with a host of players since the summer transfer window opened, some longer than others. But James Pearce of The Athletic has provided a verdict on what he thinks will take place before the Reds begin their title defence at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
“Financial constraints mean that Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Diego Carlos of Sevilla are out of the question. Real Betis’s Aissa Mandi would be a cheaper, and more realistic, option.”
These compulsions come from the temporary suspension of last season and matches being played behind closed doors, which saw Liverpool as one of the worst-affected clubs when it came to matchday revenue.
Koulibaly has a market value of £50.4m while Carlos possesses a tag of £45m, as per TransferMarkt.
No star-studded names
Supporters would have loved to have been both the Senegalese and the Brazilian defender move to Anfield, which would have sent a monumental statement to their title rivals such as Manchester City and Chelsea going into next season.
But their initial values would result in both players costing a fortune if they are anything to go by.
Koulibaly has also been linked with a move to the Citizens, which is understandable having accumulated an average match rating of 7.19 in the Champions League this season.
Are Liverpool doing the right thing walking away from Koulibaly and Carlos?
Yes
No
With the player about to enter the latter stages of his career at 29, he is not part of the club’s transfer strategy.
Although there hasn’t been much said on Carlos, he has been a regular for his club Sevilla this season. But at the age of 27, would like cost a similar amount as to what Koulibaly would.
As a result, the Reds have to utilise with the finances they have and must use those finances to bring in young potential that can bloom into world-class stars.