Latest news with #AnfieldWatch
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Winger finally OPENS up about Liverpool transfer
That might have been the case with Momodou Lamin Sonko, when he emerged as a candidate to sign for Liverpool back in January 2024. As exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch, Liverpool have admired Sonko for a long time. They invited him on a trial back in 2017, when he was just 12-years-old. Advertisement Many years later in 2024, Liverpool then tried to sign him after his brilliant performances in Hacken but in the end the move never happpened. Sonko joined Gent, where the Reds have continued to monitor his progress and where the youngster is still honing his skills and ready to explode. Now though he's focused on representing Sweden at U21 level and ahead of his nation's games this month, he was quizzed about Liverpool's interest. This time Sonko finally opened up about his potential transfer to the club and even his trial at the Reds. "The way I look at it is that they were already interested there and I went there and tried it out a bit," the winger told Expressen. Advertisement "I felt I was a little too young to move but they have continued to keep an eye on me. The development in Sweden has been good before I moved so it feels quite natural." Sonko then also opened up about Liverpool's interest in him during the January transfer window in 2024. "I don't actually know. I was in Hacken and tried not to think too much about sales. Then it happened quite quickly and suddenly I was in Gent. I don't really have a good idea," he said. And then Sonko also went onto lavish praise on Arne Slot and the club's brilliant season. "Yes, absolutely incredible. They have been superior in the Premier League. They looked very strong in the Champions League too before they had a tough match at PSG. It has been an incredibly good season. A very good debut season for the coaches too," he said. Anfield Watch understands Liverpool will continue to monitor Sonko and the Reds might just return for him if he has a breakout season.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Liverpool weigh up moneyball move for PSG hitman
It is no secret that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-forward as part of an attacking overhaul. The Premier League champions had shown an interest in Alexander Isak and they likely would've entertained a move for the Sweden international had Newcastle United missed out on Champions League football. Advertisement Julian Alvarez continues to be on the club's radar along with Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike. According to Anfield Watch sources, the Reds are also weighing up a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos. The 23-year-old is by no means top of the club's wishlist, but he's under consideration. It is believed he falls into the Moneyball category. At this moment in time, he's a value for money option having been underutilised by the Ligue 1 champions. Ramos was limited to just 1,066 minutes in the French top-flight last season, making 10 starts for Luis Enrique's side. As a result, he could be available this summer. He wants first-team football and PSG want to add an attacker to their ranks who suits their style a little better. Advertisement The Portugal international moved to the French capital for an initial €65million. The feeling is that the former Benfica man could be available for a similar fee this summer. While this may seem excessive for a bit-part player, it is relatively good value for money when assessing the striker market. Ekitike is valued by Eintracht Frankfurt at €100million while Isak would've set you back the best part of €180million. There's talk that RB Leipzig want north of €80million for Sesko while Alvarez would likely command a fee in excess of €120million. The PSG No9 made the most of his limited opportunities last term, finishing the Ligue 1 season with 10 goals and three assists. He was a real goal threat for Enrique's side, racking up an Expected Goals total of 13.6 and a Non-Penalty Expected Goals average of 0.96. Ramos, albeit in what was a relatively small sample size, proved himself to be a shot monster, averaging 4.41 per 90 in the league. Advertisement More impressively, though, was the fact just four of his efforts in Ligue 1 arrived from outside of the box during the 2024/25 campaign. He was taking a lot of high-value shots. He showcased his ability to be a penalty box poacher. And if Liverpool opt to go down this route next season, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah supplying the ammo to a new No9, Ramos could be a leading candidate. After all, in his final season for Benfica before the move to France, he netted 19 goals. He stepped up following the sale of Darwin Nunez. Interestingly, Anfield Watch are told that Julian Ward favoured Ramos in the summer of 2022 but former manager Jurgen Klopp was 'in love' with the idea of Darwin. Pedro Marques, who joined FSG in the summer, will know all about Ramos too, not just as a player but as a person. Coupled with Ward's contacts in Portugal, you would imagine that Liverpool have a fairly good idea of what Ramos is like. If the Reds decide a poacher is required to get the best out of their squad, Ramos could move up their shortlist.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florian Wirtz to Liverpool: The latest updates and everything you NEED to know
Florian Wirtz to Liverpool: The latest updates and everything you NEED to know A breakdown of Liverpool and Wirtz Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool have been aware of the player since 2019 when he was playing in Cologne's under-17 team. Scouts had been sent to assess him and the Reds attempted to sign him before he joined Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool approached him at the time, but Wirtz opted to stay in Germany. Advertisement For a 16-year-old who was in the midst of his studies and about to turn professional, it was an understandable decision, especially given he grew up just 41km away from Leverkusen. Around two years later, in January 2021, Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool went back in for him, although a €70m asking price was set and Liverpool could only spend €50m. Once again, a deal wasn't reached and it was entirely understandable as to why. At the time, he was in the middle of his breakout professional season, becoming a regular in the team, and spending such a significant amount of money on a teenager was too much of a risk for the club to sanction. But now we are four years on from that fateful approach and the player is an entirely different prospect. The 22-year-old is six seasons deep into his professional career, and he has lit up German football. Advertisement Last season, he delivered his standout campaign to date, scoring 18 goals and delivering 19 assists, as Leverkusen went on to win the Bundesliga without losing a game - ending Bayern Munich's dominance of the competition, and the side was one game away from an unbeaten treble. And while the German's team has been less fortunate this season, his numbers have remained consistent, delivering 16 goals and 14 assists. As such, it will now cost Liverpool over £125m in order to secure his services, which would require the Reds to break their record transfer fee by a monumental £40m. It is an unthinkable signing. Yet we are now living in a world where it's a possibility. Advertisement Wirtz and his family travelled to England last week and he reportedly spoke with officials at both Liverpool and Manchester City to get a feeling of what a potential move to either club might be like. Although it seems like he preferred a move to Liverpool rather than Manchester City, with the latter subsequently dropping out of the race. Furthermore, he spoke in an interview just prior to the trip about how tempted he was to move abroad, defiantly claiming that he would be comfortable joining any team and fitting in well. For a long time, it seemed that even with Manchester City dropping out, Liverpool were only lurking in the shadows. Bayern Munich had been leading the chase to sign him. Advertisement But all of that changed on Friday night with David Ornstein reporting for The Athletic that Liverpool have now moved ahead of Bayern in the race. Liverpool still need to agree a fee for Wirtz. But at this stage things are looking very promising.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We let him go...' £80m star is now free to JOIN Liverpool
'We let him go...' £80m star is now free to JOIN Liverpool Liverpool are edging closer to completing their first deal of the summer, but another could be on the way soon. It's going to be a busy period for Richard Hughes as the club's sporting director looks to establish his presence on the team and build a side tailor made for Arne Slot. Shop the LFC Store The new LFC x Air Max range 🔥 Nike x Air Max LFC Retro Shirts LFC Retro Shirts Advertisement Buy Now Home Jersey LFC Kits Buy Now LFC Nike Training LFC Nike Training Buy Now The first part of that revolution looks set to be Jeremie Frimpong, who is now nearing ever closer to completing a spectacular move to Liverpool. A former Manchester City academy graduate, Frimpong has established himself as one of the best full-backs in European football and he will be an astute replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. He's also homegrown and still relatively young arriving at the peak of his powers. Of course, Frimpong will not be alone, he's just the first one in through the door. One of Slot's priorities is to add extra pace and more dynamism to his squad. As Anfield Watch revealed exclusively, the club have held talks with Milos Kerkez back in November and he could be another new signing with the Reds definitely prioritising a move for a left-back. Advertisement Another priority is in attack as Liverpool look to replace Darwin Nunez, where a key target has just become available. Why Hugo Ekitike is now free to join Liverpool Anfield Watch exclusively revealed that Liverpool held talks with the representatives of Hugo Ekitike earlier this year. The Frenchman is considered to be one of the club's top targets for the no.9 position. Ekitike's tactical versatility, speed and excellent technical prowess make him one of the most complete young forwards in European football. Anfield Watch understands he would be available for around £80m and that Liverpool are seriously considering him even at that price range. Advertisement Ekitike finished the season with 34 goal contributions for Frankfurt in all competitions and scored a hat-trick against England's U21 side at international level. There are few forwards who are as exciting as him and who would suit Slot's style of football better. Now, the question is with Eintracht Frankfurt securing Champions League football, would they be willing to let him go? Speaking after the club's final game of the season as per Sky Sports Germany, Frankfurt's sporting director, Markus Krosche revealed that the club would be open to selling Ekitike and that they won't stand in his way. "He's one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that. I'm glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, that's our credo: If a player develops faster than us, we let him go," Krosche said. This is eerily similar to what Krosche had said about Omar Marmoush before he made the switch to Manchester City. It confirms that Ekitike is free to leave the German side this summer and join Liverpool.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fabrizion Romano confirms Liverpool can sign forward for just £55m after fee 'agreed'
Fabrizion Romano confirms Liverpool can sign forward for just £55m after fee 'agreed' Why Liverpool target Viktor Gyokeres is now available for just £55m So many names have been thrown in the hat for who could become Liverpool's new striker. Among them, Anfield Watch understands Hugo Ekitike is the club's favourite option as things stand. Advertisement As Anfield Watch revealed exclusively Liverpool held talks with the representatives of Ekitike earlier this year, which were of positive nature. But naturally, Liverpool will keep their options, knowing there are plenty of forwards on the market this summer. One player who is on the club's radar is Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish forward is expected to leave Sporting CP this summer and it's now been revealed he's already struck an agreement to leave his club for an astonishing fee. According to Fabrizio Romano, Gyokeres has 'agreed' a €65m fee with Sporting CP to get the green light from the Portuguese side for a move away from the club. Advertisement This is roughly around £55m. Which is a bargain, considering the likes of Alexander Isak are on the market for almost triple that amount. For £55m, Liverpool could sign Gyokeres and make a profit by selling Nunez for more. After all, Anfield Watch understands the club rejected a £70m offer for Nunez back in January. Gyokeres is clearly the better player. He's shattered record after record in Portugal. This season he's scored 53 goals in 51 matches while also registering 13 assists. In total he's made 124 goal contributions in 101 matches for Sporting CP, averaging a goal or assist every 67 minutes. Those numbers are incredible and £55m for a 26-year-old striker in the form of his life with that goal-scoring record behind him is an absolute bargain.
