Liverpool continues to keep its powder dry as the transfer market approaches its final two weeks. But just one deal could still set various steps in motion, and Xabi Alonso is among those waiting in the wings .
We saw in a subdued January window how curtailed Premier League spending could affect liquidity in the market. There's been a measure of order restored this summer, with Chelsea in particular unafraid to throw money around and grease the wheels of the transfer machine, but the looming specter of PSR has got things at least somewhat in check.
Financial rules aren't what's stopping FSG from splashing the cash — blame the fickle whims of Martin Zubimendi for that — but the total inactivity from one of the biggest teams on the continent has undoubtedly contributed to a slight bung in the market. And as the deadline nears, teams are ending up in convoluted Mexican stand-offs.
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Liverpool is undoubtedly at the end of some of these chains. If it signs Giorgi Mamardashvili , for instance, Valencia might have a little more room to bring somebody in — and an attractive loan option would also be on the cards for a variety of clubs.
But the Reds are also beholden to other market forces. For instance, it's right in the middle of a merry-go-round involving Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
According to Kicker in Germany, Alonso has taken an interest in Sepp van den Berg . Not only that, but he would be willing to meet the $22m (£17m/€20m) asking price, unlike other potential suitors.
However, Bayer Leverkusen's interest is contingent on Odilon Kossounou leaving the club. A key player last season in the invincible Bundesliga campaign, he is wanted by Crystal Palace, but the Premier League side would have to splash out $44m (£34m/€40m).
That would likely only happen if Palace lost one of Marc Guehi or Joachim Andersen, wanted by Newcastle and Fulham respectively. But with time ticking, none of the selling sides are especially eager to blink first, leaving a late transfer scramble.
To complicate matters even further, Liverpool could theoretically be involved at multiple points in the chain. It has been linked to both Kossounou and Guehi at various points this summer, moves which could ultimately make it easier to sell Van den Berg.
It just sums up the complications of the transfer market at this late stage. No wonder Liverpool normally prefers to do its business early.
Liverpool.com says: Sporting director Richard Hughes managed expectations early by admitting business was likely to come late this summer. For the most part, the reasons were beyond Liverpool's control.
But it has set up a stressful end to the transfer window. Liverpool is preparing for its opening Premier League fixture on Saturday, but it is yet to make any additions, and key departures are being held up too. We could be in for a busy couple of weeks.
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