The Transfer Show: Latest on Saudi interest in Alisson, Wirtz and Nunez Exit | OneFootball

Football Transfer Chaos: Buckle Up, Buttercup!

Right, settle down, because the football transfer window is doing its usual trick: making everyone absolutely lose their minds. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably staring at your screen, wondering why on earth these deals don’t just, you know, happen. But no, it’s a glorious mess of rumour, negotiation, and more angst than a teenager’s diary. And let me tell you, when it comes to transfers, especially with the window closing in sight, it’s a special kind of bedlam.

Keeper Quandaries: Unexpected Wins

First, let’s talk about the goalkeepers. It’s not often the most thrilling topic, but there’s some surprising good news. According to Dave Davis, that new lad who’s come in for a paltry 1.5 million quid, is a proper data-driven signing. Dave said, “it proper sounds like the laptop geeks are back and in full operation, aren’t they, doing their bits and looking for those gems, looking for those bargains.” So, less “throw money at it,” more “nerds with spreadsheets.” Brilliant!

Then there’s Alisson, our magnificent shot-stopper. There were whispers, naturally, about the Saudis sniffing around. But it turns out our man is staying put. Dave recounted Alisson’s direct quote: “I have one year of contract left, and one more year on a club option. They will probably exercise this option.” And Dave’s reaction? “Damn right, they will.” No-nonsense, just how I like it. He also highlights a crucial point: “This feels now like we’ve got them all for another two years, doesn’t it? The backbone of the team. That’s a massive positive.” Stability, who’d have thought it? And young Yaros might be off on loan, which makes perfect sense for all involved. No drama there, just sensible football.

The Wirtz Waiting Game

Now, for the main event: Wirtz. Oh, the Wirtz saga. It’s been a masterclass in how to drive a sane person to distraction. Dave even compared it to a biblical parable, though with slightly more colourful language: “Well, you bloody get on with it!” And that’s precisely how it feels. We’ve had “99% done,” “very close,” and today, courtesy of Florian Plettenberg, we’ve advanced to “very, very close.” The adjectives are piling up faster than potholes on a rural road.

People are tracking planes, for heaven’s sake! Trev Downey mused, “I think that’s actually just adding to people’s irritation levels if I’m being perfectly honest with you Dave.” He’s not wrong. It’s like dangling a prime steak in front of a hungry dog, then just leaving it there.

Dave, ever the pragmatist, pointed out the bigger picture: “I don’t think Liverpool give a sh*t too much because to be honest Window One’s for the Club World Cup teams isn’t it really.” His point is, they’re not bothered by the PR. They want the right deal. He also made a crucial distinction: “It’s really not. Caicedo, we came in at the last minute, too late, where they’d already agreed the deal with Chelsea. We didn’t do any due diligence or anything like that… This is different. We know we’ve had Wirtz over, we’ve had his family over, they’ve given their word. Wirtz wants to come to us.” So, less of a desperate scramble, more of a calculated play. Fingers crossed, the lad arrives before I lose my mind.

Sales and the Second Window

The dreaded second window. This is where things get really interesting, because it’s all about flogging off players to fund the next round of shiny new toys. And it seems the anticipated Saudi bonanza for the likes of Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz might not be quite as golden as we hoped.

Dave noted, “absolutely nada reliable that the Saudis are in for Darwin in this Window One at all.” Which means, if he goes, it’s more likely to be to someone like Atlético, who, as Dave pointed out, “are going to give us a lot less than Al-Hilal or a Saudi team would.” So, less cash to splash. As for Díaz, he wants a new deal, but the club isn’t offering one.

Dave summarised the situation: “Luis Díaz now has a choice you stay at Liverpool you will not get a renewal… go to Saudi you don’t really want to do that in the footballing sense but your wages are probably going to get trebled aren’t they”. A classic modern footballing dilemma, then. Trev Downey, ever the realist, said, “the potential for Liverpool incoming cash is very much reduced if those moves don’t happen”. It’s a delicate balance, this, and it all depends on who fancies a fresh start elsewhere.

Konaté Concerns

Finally, the Konaté situation. A contract renewal that’s gone quieter than a library on a Sunday. Dave observed, “it’s still completely silent isn’t it”. And it seems that with Real Madrid and PSG whispering sweet nothings in his ear, getting him to sign on the dotted line for anything less than a king’s ransom is proving tricky.

Dave admitted, “there’s not really good noises around this particularly.” He even suggested the club might be forced to consider selling him now, or, “do they run Konaté down for you know a free? We’ve seen them do that.” It’s a risky game, holding out, but sometimes you just have to trust that the men in charge know what they’re doing. Eventually.