James Pearce writes for the Athletic that Liverpool could sell nine players this summer which could generate most of the funds to sign someone like Jadon Sancho.
“The belief is that Liverpool can still raise in excess of £60million from sales. Harry Wilson and Divock Origi have similar valuations to Grujic,” Pearce writes.
“Offers are also expected to come in for Xherdan Shaqiri, who only made seven starts in all competitions last season.
“Taiwo Awoniyi, who is valued at around £8 million, could also be moved on, along with Loris Karius, Sheyi Ojo, Ben Woodburn and Liam Millar.”
Anfield Central reports that Liverpool are aware of interest in Shaqiri from Sevilla, Lazio, Roma, Union Berlin, Stuttgart, Galatasaray and Fenerbache.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on January 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If Liverpool can recoup as much £60million from selling the likes of Wilson, Origi, Shaqiri and Grujic, that could lead to very positive incoming. A further £8million could be earned from selling Awoniyi while as much as £10million could be brought in by selling Karius, Ojo, Woodburn and Millar.
With Borussia Dortmund demanding £80m + £20m in add-ons for Jadon Sancho, the Reds could make a move to sign the Englishman if those sales go through although it might not be in time to beat Manchester United to his signature.
The more likely scenario would be that Liverpool use those funds to sign a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum and a young forward with the potential to develop into a player like Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah.
While it’s not as exciting as signing Jadon Sancho as part of a marquee move, it’s a tried and tested strategy that saw Liverpool win its sixth European Cup and the first league title for 30 years.
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates with the Champions League Trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
The mania of the transfer window distracts from the fact that Liverpool’s commitment to a sustainable approach in the market is what has seen them skyrocket from midtable irrelevancy to the best-run football club in the country.
Manchester United are able to spend bucket loads every year and pay the biggest wages but the best that has earned them since Sir Alex Ferguson retired is two second-place finishes.
Most Liverpool fans will be quite happy to see the Reds’ conservative spending continue if it guarantees success on the pitch but if the likes of Chelsea overtake them by signing world-beaters like Erling Haaland, discontent with FSG will only grow.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MAY 22: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund with the jersey of head referee Manuel Gräfe after his final whistle during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Signal Iduna Park on May 22, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
If Liverpool ignore the chance to sign the likes of Sancho and Haaland and go on to sign Kylian Mbappe, the most exciting talent in world football, it will be the biggest sign of the Merseysiders’ superior approach to the transfer market.
With Virgil van Dijk and co. returning from lengthy injury layoffs this summer, they will be able to return to the Liverpool starting XI next season and there isn’t a player currently in the Premier League with greater importance to his side’s chances of winning the title.
The Dutchman missed 34 league games due to injury and Liverpool subsequently dropped from 1st place on 99 points the season before to third-place on 69 points this season, highlighting his importance.
With him back in defence, the Reds should skyrocket to the top of the table once more.
