It’s a process guaranteed to rile transfer-hungry supporters, but the two positions are of course separate matters. Liverpool has more issues to address than responding to being turned down by Martin Zubimendi , even if its need for a new shot-stopper is nowhere near as urgent.
The links between the Reds and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili continue. The Athletic reports that a deal is now close after talks between Liverpool and the La Liga side. But an initial rumored plan is not on the cards as it would break Premier League rules.
With Alisson Becker rightly entrenched as the Reds’ No.1, it was claimed that the club was planning to loan Mamardashvili to Bournemouth for 2024/25. However, this would not be permitted under the rules of top flight football in England. It is stated that a club is not allowed to sign a player and then immediately loan him to a Premier League rival.
As such, Liverpool will need to be creative if it is determined to secure Mamardashvili this summer. The obvious place to start would be to get the deal done but on the condition that the player does not actually join the club for 12 months.
The Reds have used this strategy in the past. Divock Origi remained with Lille for a season before he officially became a Liverpool player, then Naby Keïta underwent the same process with RB Leipzig three years later.
Like those men who went on to win big trophies with the Reds, Mamardashvili could remain with his current club for a season even though a transfer will have been agreed. That appears likely now but there is another option though.
The Georgian goalkeeper could agree to move to Liverpool next summer but spend this season on loan to Bournemouth from Valencia, rather than the Reds. No Premier League rules would be broken, the outcome for 2024/25 would be the same and all three clubs plus the player would get what they presumably want. Few teams can play transfer window chess as well as Liverpool, with this potentially its next move.
Liverpool.com says: It is understandable that Liverpool want to sign Mamardashivli no matter what this summer, even if he wouldn't immediately enhance Arne Slot's squad. A goalkeeper of his quality comes round so rarely that it's worth working around Premier League rules to make the deal happen.
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