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'It's In The Tank' - Exclusive: Finance guru drops £40m Liverpool Jan signing reveal
Liverpool comfortably have £40million “in the tank” to splash out on a centre-back in the January window.
That is according to new Football Insider columnist and finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to correspondent Adam Williams about the Merseysiders’ budget.
Liverpool have now used 10 different centre-back pairings this season after injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have forced Jurgen Klopp’s hand.
The League Champions have been linked with various transfer moves to combat their injury woes, with Ozan Kabak and Sven Botman two of the names linked.
Maguire explains how Liverpool’s shrewd budgetary management means they could bring in a new face this January and spend big if necessary.
He told Football Insider: “The thing is, a £40million signing isn’t £40m upfront because the way that all deals are negotiated these days is that you will pay the figure over three of four years.
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“So from a cash flow point of view, they have the resources. They spent moderately last summer so there is something in the tank should they need to dip into the market.
“Their concern is what happens if you sign, say, Ben White for £30m or £40m and then Van Dijk and Gomez come back? How is that going to work with three players fighting over two positions?
“So I think they might take the view of keeping their powder dry until the summer and then assess things there. It’s not a case of not being able to pay, but I think they want to assess their options and it will take them a longer amount of time to do so.”
Maguire’s assessment would tally with Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments suggesting Liverpool are unlikely to sign a centre-back: “We are very responsible in everything we do… A short term solution doesn’t help.”
While Liverpool have faltered over the past couple of weeks, their injury problems have not stopped them from topping the Premier League, although Manchester United could overtake them if they win their game in hand.
In other news, a Liverpool international forward is set to leave Anfield.