Manchester United are set to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and have agreed to pay him £350,000/week but Liverpool must hijack Kieran Trippier.
Anfield Central was told a week ago that Jurgen Klopp could still sign the forward but with Liverpool seemingly deciding against matching United, Sancho seems destined to move to Old Trafford.
What is the news surrounding Sancho?
Incredibly, the Guardian reports that United have agreed to pay Sancho £350,000/week for five years which will see him earn a ridiculous £91million across the contract while Dortmund are holding out for £77.5million.
If the Red Devils agree to pay that, the total package cost to sign Sancho will amount to an absurd £168.5million and for that reason alone, it’s easy to understand why Liverpool were unwilling to match United.
£350,000 per week is almost double what the club’s top earners make and with the Reds committed to their wage structure, they were never going to obliterate it to sign Sancho given the knock-on effect it would have within the squad.
Paying Sancho that kind of wage would upset Salah and van Dijk as well as trigger several demands for new contracts.
What about a move to sign Kieran Trippier?
While there have been no links between Liverpool and the Atletico Madrid fullback, with Neco Williams likely heading out on loan this summer, Jurgen Klopp needs cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Scouser suffered a thigh injury during England’s 1-0 friendly over Austria which means he will not take part at this summer’s European Championships and it should hammer home an important message to Jurgen Klopp.
Trent needs cover.
The German manager will likely be aware of this and while he could use James Milner, Joe Gomez and even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at right-back, they’re not natural fullbacks.
While hijacking a move to sign Trippier will only be a small consolation prize, it would help strengthen Liverpool ahead of what is building up to be a hugely important season for the Reds.
What makes the 2021/22 season so special?
All the teams around them are strengthening and with Chelsea and the Manchester clubs not expected to sell any of their key players, the fight for the Premier League title is set to be a fierce one.
Man United are currently set to make the biggest improvement with Sancho a huge signing for them. Chelsea could sign Achraf Hakimi as well as Haaland while Man City could even sign Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.
Liverpool have bought Ibrahima Konate and are expected to have a fully fit squad for the first time in almost a year, with van Dijk’s return likely to prompt Jurgen Klopp to compare it to a new signing.
He’d have a point but fans love seeing new faces come through the door – it’s exciting even if it’s not always the answer. While Sancho is not guaranteed to hit the ground running or succeed at all, United fans will be hugely excited right now simply at the prospect of him running riot next season.
Are Liverpool going to make any more signings?
Yes! The transfer window only officially opened on Wednesday, 9 June and the desperation to see signings made has seen supporters forget that Liverpool already signed Konate and with the window only set to close on the 31st of August, there is plenty of time to get new faces in the door.
At least one midfielder and one forward will be signed. That much is certain as Georginio Wijnaldum has already sealed his move to PSG while Origi and Shaqiri are expected to leave.