Liverpool change their mind after ‘agreeing personal terms’ with Premier League star
Liverpool have reportedly dropped plans to sign a big Premier League player, even though they had already agreed terms with him.
Just a year after leading Liverpool to their 20th league title, former manager Arne Slot was let go last month. Not long after, former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was named his replacement on a two-year deal.
Since then, fans have been excited to see how the Spanish manager will shape the team and which players he’ll target this summer. A few players have been linked with a move to Anfield, including RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who seems to be one of Liverpool’s main targets.
Another player who was expected to join Liverpool was RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida. He impressed last season while on loan at Sunderland. There were reports this winter that Liverpool were considering signing the Dutch international due to injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. At one point, it seemed Geertruida and Liverpool had even agreed terms for a summer move.
However, Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof says the deal is now off and Geertruida currently has no contact with Liverpool. It seems that with Iraola’s arrival, Liverpool have lost interest in signing the defender and will look elsewhere.
Blaauwhof also says Sunderland are now the most likely place for Geertruida, as manager Regis Le Bris wants to sign him permanently rather than on another loan. Geertruida’s contract with RB Leipzig runs until 2029, and the transfer fee is expected to be about €20m (£17.3m).
Since Iraola joined, Liverpool have been linked with several exciting players from his former club Bournemouth. Winger Rayan, who reportedly has a release clause that lowers over time, and teammate Eli Junior Kroupi are two names linked with a move to Anfield.
Diomande still seems to be Iraola’s top target, and reports say Liverpool have already contacted RB Leipzig about signing him. But the German club says they won’t sell unless they get around £112 million.
Meanwhile, there’s talk of a big return for former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan is reportedly planning to end his contract with Al Hilal early in the summer transfer window, which could open the door for him to come back to Anfield as a free agent. Nunez is said to be interested in returning.