Liverpool has officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for a fee that could reach $39m (£29m/€35m) including add-ons.
The Georgian impressed at the European Championships, and had attracted interest elsewhere from Premier League sides this summer. However, Liverpool's lengthy wait for a summer signing has now come to an end with Mamardashvili's signing.
The 23-year-old will remain with Valencia on-loan this season before moving across to Merseyside next summer. Given the Reds already have two excellent goalkeepers in the form of Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher, some eyebrows have been raised by the signing of the Georgian.
READ MORE: Liverpool's stance on selling Darwin Nunez as staggering Arsenal transfer rumor emerges
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Darwin Nunez Arsenal rumor, Federico Chiesa contract, Mamardashvili message
However, Liverpool believe that by signing Mamardashvili, they are future proofing their goalkeeping department according to the Mirror . Alisson is 31 and has two years left on his deal. While he has by no means shown any sign of a drop off in quality, Liverpool is choosing to bring in a player they believe could succeed Alisson.
Then there's also Kelleher. It had been thought the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper would be on the move this summer, with Kelleher keen to test himself as a number one. However, no transfer has emerged for the Irishman. And with the transfer window set to shut at the end of the week, it seems more than likely the 25-year-old will remain at Anfield as Alisson's back-up this season.
What do you make of the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili? Let us know in the comments section below.
Kelleher is out of contract in 2026, meaning the Reds will sell him next summer, which will likely be for less than they quoted any interested teams this summer. Selling Kelleher would also offset some of the fee spent on Mamardashvili too.
And there's every chance too that had Mamardashvili impressed for Valencia this season, like he did at the European Championships, he could have cost much more than the potential $39m Liverpool has paid this summer. With Alisson's contract up in 2027, when he will be 34, signing Mamardashvili could prove to be astute business by Liverpool, even if it is years before he will actually feature regularly.
Liverpool.com says: "Liverpool have seemingly identified Mamardashvili as Alisson's successor and a good goalkeeper is worth their weight in gold. If they believe he can succeed the Brazilian, who arrived at Anfield for a then world record fee for a goalkeeper, then this could be an excellent signing for the future."
Most Popular
Comments / 0