Liverpool have sealed a deal for KRC Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, with an announcement now seemingly just around the corner.
The Reds moved quickly for the 18-year-old over the past few days. Reports in Belgium said they had made an official approach on Sunday. Brughmans then travelled to England and underwent his medical tests. And now there is an agreement between the two clubs.
Het Laatste Nieuws reports Liverpool will pay €33m (£28.6m) up front, with another €2m (£1.7m) in achievable bonuses. That takes the whole package to €35m (£30.3m), a record sale for Genk.
Liverpool make decision on Brughmans’ immediate future
One detail still needed sorting after Brughmans underwent his medical. Liverpool had to decide whether to keep him at Anfield or send him straight back to Belgium.
That’s now been settled. Brughmans will spend the rest of the season on loan at Genk before joining Liverpool next summer.
This changes the picture from the lastest reports. At some point, his immediate future was linked to Giorgi Mamardashvili. The idea was that Brughmans could stay if the Georgian goalkeeper left Liverpool. Otherwise, the youngster would return to Genk.
Liverpool have now chosen the latter route regardless, allowing Brughmans another full season of senior football in Belgium. HLN says the final paperwork is currently being processed.
Reds have been watching him for two years
The size of Liverpool’s investment looks particularly striking given Brughmans’ experience. He has made just 15 senior appearances for Genk.
This hasn’t been a deadline-day gamble, though. According to HLN, Liverpool have scouted Brughmans for more than two years. They therefore know the 2m-tall goalkeeper extremely well.
The Reds initially planned to start talks after the transfer window and try to get a deal done in the coming months. Two things pushed them into acting now.
Mamardashvili’s potential departure created some urgency of course, but several major European clubs were also watching Brughmans. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus are named among those interested. Newcastle had also been keeping an eye on him.
Liverpool clearly weren’t interested in risking losing their man.
Future Alisson successor
There’s also a longer-term plan behind the €35m (£30.3m) investment. HLN says Liverpool view Brughmans as a potential successor to Alisson Becker.
The Brazilian remains their first-choice goalkeeper, but Brughmans is being signed with the future in mind. Liverpool reportedly believe the Belgium U19 international can eventually take over from Alisson.
That helps explain why they were prepared to move earlier than planned and beat the competition. The fee also gives Genk another huge sale in the same window.
They had already sold 18-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas to Borussia Dortmund for around €33m (£28.6m) in August, setting a new club record. Brughmans has now gone beyond that figure.
Genk only renewed his contract until 2030 in July. A couple of months later, Liverpool have committed €35m (£30.3m) to secure him. For now, he’ll stay exactly where he is. Liverpool have made sure he’ll be theirs when the time comes.
Sportwitness
Football transfer news from the across the world.