Time to strap in folks, the final week of the Premier League transfer window is almost upon us. Get ready for more twists and turns that ramp up the drama more than even a soap opera could provide.
Liverpool are not immune to the transfer sagas this summer despite getting a good portion of their business done in a calm and efficient manner. There are two key stories still to resolve as targets Alexander Isak and Marc Guéhi still remain to be done deals. The Isak story is really just a one-horse race
as Liverpool are the only club making a push at this point. Newcastle are loathe to lose their talisman despite having made promises to the player last year (according to Isak), and are undoubtedly embarrassed after missing out on multiple targets and having the player publicly push for a move away. Of course, the fact that Newcastle face Liverpool on Monday in a Premier League clash adds a little spice.
For Guéhi, however, a new wrinkle was just added. Liverpool have seemingly been in the drivers seat for the Crystal Palace center back since news of advanced interest broke back in May. Other clubs have popped up along the way, but no one was able to dislodge the Reds as the most likely landing spot. Crystal Palace dearly want to hold onto their captain, but an expiring contract next summer and Guéhi’s insistence he will not sign a new contract have all signs pointing to a summer move so the London club can get decent value for the player.
Reports on Sunday, however, have a new power player in the mix. Many outfits are saying that Manchester City are now entering the race to sign Guéhi. All of these reports link back to an “exclusive” from Andy Williams of the Daily Star in a report with no quotes, however, so take it as you will.
According to Williams, Manchester City will be in the market for a center back if they can sell veteran defenders Manuel Akanji and Nathan Aké. Akanji is wanted by Galatasaray while Aké is desired by Everton. Should both moves come to fruition, Williams claims that Manchester City will push to beat Liverpool for Guéhi.
There are, of course, a lot of “ifs”, “maybes”, and “coulds” in the “exclusive” reporting. There is a decent chance that the information in the report is an attempt to get Liverpool to spend more than they would like to get the deal done. Then again, who knows. Get out your grapefruit spoons lads and lasses, it’s the last week of transfer season!
