What looked like being a steal from underneath the noses of Manchester City and Bayern Munich is turning into quite an expensive deal for Liverpool. Having had two bids rejected already, Florian Wirtz could end up costing the Reds upwards of £126m - a fee that would break not only Liverpool’s club-record deal but also make him the most-expensive Premier League signing of all time.
Is Wirtz really worth it, though? That’s what Liverpool fans will be asking throughout the upcoming campaign. But, for just a little more money than the Premier League champions are likely to pay for the German, Liverpool could bag three first-team quality players instead.
Ederson - Atalanta
Starting things off with a player who has perennially been linked to the Premier League, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur having all been credited with interest in the past. But after another impressive season with Atalanta in Serie A, Ederson looks ready to make the step up to a side of Liverpool’s calibre.
His signing would add more steel to Liverpool’s midfield, while providing cover (possibly even competition) for Ryan Gravenberch. Atalanta, who lost manager Gian Piero Gasperini to Roma earlier this summer, are said to be eyeing up a fee in the region of £50m.
Ousmane Diomande - Sporting CP
Whisper it, but centre-back may become a problem area for Liverpool if they’re not careful. Despite penning a new contract, Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger, and both Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah have been linked to exits this summer.
By walking away from the Wirtz negotiations, they’d free up cash, which can be used to sign Ousmane Diomande, who could be available for around £50m himself. They’ll have to move quickly though, given Arsenal, among several other top teams in Europe, are believed to be tracking the 21-year-old defender.
Ademola Lookman - Atalanta
And finally, a player with Premier League experience and a point to prove in the top tier, Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian international has excelled at Atalanta, most famously netting a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final against Wirtz’s Leverkusen side in Dublin.
But now heading into his prime years, Lookman is being linked to a Premier League return, following previous, less successful, stints with Everton and Fulham. He’s another player being tipped to have a £50m asking price and if Liverpool ask nicely, they might even tempt Atalanta into letting both Lookman and Ederson leave as part of a cut-price deal!