Thiago Alcantara’s future remains shrouded in mystery amid his ongoing wait on the sidelines owing to fitness concerns.

The Spaniard’s boots haven’t graced the pitch since April and his seen his return hit with delay after delay as setbacks littered his recovery efforts following a successful hip surgery.

Despite the January window representing Liverpool’s best chance of securing some value from the player before his contract expires next summer, however, the club appears to be set on holding their man.

“I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January,” Fabrizio Romano exclusively informed CaughtOffside.

“Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“With Thiago, I’m not aware of concrete talks with Barca so far. As I previously reported, Barca’s priority is to register Vitor Roque before deciding on the midfielder situation. For now there are no changes, and no concrete developments on how to act with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

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Thiago’s last hurrah on Merseyside?

There’s a very good chance that Liverpool allow Thiago to run down his contract as they have previously with the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can.

Prior to that point, of course, it would please many a fan if we could see the Spanish international showcase his talents for the second-half of the season.

The 32-year-old will continue to divide sections of the fanbase thanks to his poor injury record, though there’s no denying the sheer quality he brings.

If this is indeed his last hurrah, we’ll be sad to see him go – and not just for that gravity-defying daisycutter he slammed in past Porto!

#Ep96 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Fabrizio Romano has shared his latest information on the possibility of a high-profile player exit from Liverpool in 2024.

Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claimed last week (via Barca Universal) that Thiago Alcantara is on a three-man shortlist at Barcelona, whose transfer focus is on midfield additions following the season-ending injury to Gavi.

The Reds maestro rose through the ranks at Camp Nou before winning the Champions League with the club, also lifting the trophy at Bayern Munich in 2020 shortly before his move to Anfield.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Romano addressed the possibility of the 32-year-old returning to Catalonia in the next few months.

The Italian stated: “I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January. Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“With Thiago, I’m not aware of concrete talks with Barca so far. As I previously reported, Barca’s priority is to register Vitor Roque before deciding on the midfielder situation. For now there are no changes, and no concrete developments on how to act with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

READ MORE: ‘Expect him to leave…’ – Liverpool-linked £35m flier is ‘very keen on a transfer’ in 2024

READ MORE: Journalist: Liverpool ‘very hot’ on 23y/o ‘wonderful talent’ with 13 goals already this season

With Jurgen Klopp stating that Thiago isn’t due back from his ongoing injury problems until January at the earliest, a mid-season exit from Liverpool seems unlikely.

However, the midfielder hasn’t played in seven months, so even when he’s fit enough to feature again, he’ll probably need a few matches to get fully up to speed.

The likelihood is that the 32-year-old’s return to the fold will be implemented on a soft basis, with the former Spain international perhaps coming off the bench to provide a composed experienced head to see out results, rather than being thrust straight back into the starting line-up after being sidelined for so long.

His big-name nous could yet be crucial for Liverpool in the second half of the season, particularly if it ends up being a charge for multiple trophies like in 2021/22, and it mustn’t be forgotten that Thiago is an outstanding footballer who talkSPORT‘s Jim White previously dubbed a ‘Rolls-Royce of a player’.

That said, with his contract expiring next June – by which time he’ll be 33 – there’s a growing sense that this’ll be the ex-Barcelona midfielder’s final campaign at Anfield. Whether or not he returns to Camp Nou thereafter remains to be seen.

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Fabrizio Romano has shared details of a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ which could leave the door open for Liverpool to bring one ex-Anfield favourite back to Merseyside.

Journalist Ben Jacobs recently told GIVEMESPORT that Xabi Alonso is ‘turning heads’ at his former club off the back of a remarkable 13 months at Bayer Leverkusen, taking over with them 17th in the Bundesliga and guiding them to the top of the table at present.

Jurgen Klopp’s contract runs to 2026, and only an unfathomable turn of events would see him depart before then such is his standing at LFC, but that hasn’t quelled speculation regarding the identity of his eventual successor.

In his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Romano explained that the 42-year-old doesn’t have a formal release clause in his deal at Leverkusen, but rather a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ which may allow one of three former clubs in Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid to secure his services at a reduced rate.

The Italian outlined: “Alonso is a fantastic manager, and it’s no surprise to see links with other clubs now, though I’m told there is no proper release clause in his contract.

“There is nothing official for other clubs to trigger – I’m told it’s just a gentleman’s agreement between Alonso and the Leverkusen board. Alonso was on the list of some clubs this summer, but Leverkusen insisted he was staying, but that they would let him go to a top, top club in the future.

“Alonso will be the one with the final decision, and he will make that decision in the summer, but there is no normal release clause, so it’s about convincing Alonso, rather than paying a formal release clause to Leverkusen.”

READ MORE: Agent confirms numerous clubs ‘want’ to sign Liverpool wizard who’s earned Messi comparisons

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This revelation from Romano could provide Liverpool with a tremendous opportunity to exploit if they want to bring Alonso back to Anfield, although there’s a danger that Bayern or Real Madrid could get to him first.

The Bavarian club can be a volatile hotbed where managers are under enormous pressure as a matter of course, while Carlo Ancelotti has been touted to leave the Bernabeu at the end of this season, thus leaving a vacancy to be filled in the dugout.

Merseyside chiefs may be secretly hoping that, if the 42-year-old goes to one of those clubs after Leverkusen, they’ll dispense with him by the time Klopp’s current deal ends in 2026.

Right now, Alonso’s managerial stock could hardly be higher off the back of the remarkable work he’s doing in Germany, with his side already scoring an incredible tally of 62 goals in all competitions this term while conceding only 14 (Romano).

Whoever eventually takes over from Klopp will have an extremely hard act to follow at Anfield, but few would likely be as well received and given as much leeway by the fan base as the Spaniard, given his excellent form as a manager and his genius as a former Reds player.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 13 Review : Trippier OUT & Zinchenko IN? Gordon the ultimate differential? Haaland & Salah must-haves

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Manchester City fans are sweating on the fitness of a number of their key players ahead of next weekend’s visit of Liverpool to the Etihad.

The Sky Blues currently lead the way in the Premier League on 28 points with Liverpool and Arsenal trailing by a single point.

A number of Pep Guardiola’s key players, such as Nathan Ake, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have not been called up by their respective nations during the current break due to injury while Erling Haaland has confirmed he will miss Norway’s game with Scotland tonight after picking up a knock to his ankle.

READ MORE: (Video) Cody Gakpo looked sharp during the Netherlands’ defeat of Ireland in Amsterdam

Norway medic Ola Sand explained that the 23-year-old suffered a ‘slight twist in his ankle‘ during the defeat of the Faroe Islands on Thursday, but in news that won’t come as much of a surprise to Liverpool supporters, Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed the former Borussia Dortmund forward’s injury ‘is not serious and he will be fit’ for next week’s clash (in a post on his X page).

Understand Erling Haaland’s injury is not serious and he will be fit for City vs Liverpool.

Haaland will not risk to play vs Scotland after his problem but he’ll be regularly back for Man City. pic.twitter.com/Nu0T6Eawrf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 19, 2023

It was somewhat expected to see a number of City players remain in Manchester ahead of the huge clash with Liverpool next week.

Chances are that all of those players are involved at the Etihad in what is another pathetic attempt of mind games from Guardiola.

We’ll be right up against it against the Cityzens but let’s hope we can put in a strong performance to come away with something from the game.

It would be a huge boost to our chances of securing a positive result if Haaland is to be ruled out but we cannot see that being the case.

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You’d have to think the chances of Liverpool sanctioning Mo Salah’s exit this January are so slim as to be negligible.

Fabrizio Romano certainly can’t see the Egyptian departing Anfield in the upcoming window, with a summer switch less complicated by comparison.

“In January I see him staying, absolutely. I see him staying, I see Mo Salah being a part of the Liverpool project,” the Italian spoke on Kick.

“Absolutely, nothing to mention on that. I don’t think anything can happen in the January transfer window.

“At the moment the message from Liverpool is the same as we had in the summer, Liverpool want to count on Mo Salah, he’s an absolutely crucial player for them.

“Remember that when they received important approaches from Mo Salah in the summer, in the final days of the European transfer market Saudi offered a package worth around £150m, an incredible amount of money for Mo Salah, and in that case, Liverpool said no, so I don’t see them selling the player in the middle of the season, a very important season for Liverpool.

“They are still there fighting to win the Premier League, doing very well in the Europa League, so it’s a positive season for Liverpool. I don’t see them ruining it by selling Mo Salah in January. In the summer we will see, but in January I think it will be really complicated.”

The 31-year-old’s current terms are set to expire in the summer of 2025, leaving the Reds with a difficult decision to make in less than a year’s time.

READ MORE: Liverpool player told he simply won’t get ahead of starter in his position w/o injury

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Can Liverpool even justify selling Mo Salah?

It’s the age-old question when it comes to older players supposedly close to (or past) their expiration date.

Does a club like Liverpool, without mountains of oil-soaked cash at our disposal, look to capitalise on the Saudi boom or any other with a spare £200m in their wallet for a then 32-year-old?

Likewise, can we really justify parting ways with the greatest right-winger of his generation in Mo Salah when he keeps performing week in, week out?

Our Egyptian King’s already taken in a haul of 16 goal contributions in 17 games (across all competitions) so far and we’re not even in December! Just how many is he going to have tallied to his name come May?

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Fabrizio Romano is expecting one Liverpool-linked starlet to change clubs in the January transfer window, and he believes there could be a ‘big opportunity’ for a Premier League side to snap him up.

TEAMtalk reported in recent days that the Reds are ‘lurking’ for Gabriel Moscardo, the 18-year-old Corinthians midfielder who’s also being linked with Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton and Fulham.

The £26m-valued teenager is believed to be ‘eager to move to Europe’ but doesn’t want to upset the club who gave him his route into senior football.

However, speaking on his eponymous YouTube channel, Romano said that he thinks the Brazilian youngster will be on the move sooner rather than later.

The journalist outlined: “For the January window, keep an eye on Gabriel Moscardo. He’s a talented midfielder playing for Corinthians, born in 2005, very good player. Chelsea had a verbal proposal rejected at the end of August for him.”

The Italian added: “From what I’m hearing, the idea is for Moscardo to transfer in the January window, not in the summer, to leave Corinthians in January, with big Premier League clubs keen on signing Moscardo.

“Keep an eye on Premier League for this boy. For Barcelona it’s difficult, but for English clubs it could be a very big opportunity.”

The 18-year-old has been likened to Declan Rice not just because of his position as a defensive midfielder, but also because he ‘compliments his fine reading of the game by breaking the lines with lung-busting forward runs with the ball at his feet’ (GOAL).

It’s also understood that Moscardo is learning English in preparation for an eventual move to Europe, and Romano’s update suggests that one of his Premier League suitors could well snap him up in January.

Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners right now, but hopefully Liverpool can offer stern competition for the prodigious Brazilian starlet.

You can view Romano’s comments below (from 2:36), via Fabrizio Romano on YouTube:

The post (Video) Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool-linked Declan Rice-esque starlet is one to ‘keep an eye on’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fabrizio Romano has said that Liverpool ‘appreciate’ Archie Gray and have already dispatched scouts to watch the Leeds United youngster.

The Daily Mail reported on Friday that the Reds are preparing a bid for the 17-year-old next year, with Crystal Palace and Everton also interested in the teenager, who’s valued in the region of £40m-£50m by his current club.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the Italian journalist shared his latest information on LFC’s pursuit of the Whites prodigy.

Romano wrote: “An impressive young player at Leeds United, Liverpool have sent their scouts to follow Archie Gray multiple times. They are not the only club as many teams appreciate him and keep tracking Archie, but for sure Liverpool are one of them.

“There’s no bid or concrete negotiation at this stage, but they appreciate the player.”

READ MORE: Liverpool were on the brink of signing ‘magic’ Man City wizard in 2018 before he turned them down

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A defensive midfielder who’s also capable of playing at right-back (Transfermarkt), Gray has unsurprisingly drawn comparisons with a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold (Daily Mail).

The 17-year-old only made his senior Leeds debut in their opening game of the Championship season against Cardiff but has already established himself in Daniel Farke’s side, starting 14 matches this term and coming on in two more (Transfermarkt).

In August, Sky Sports pundit Jermaine Beckford praised the teenager’s ‘maturity’, physical strength and composure under pressure, while Jobi McAnuff spoke of his ability to pull off ‘lovely little tricks’ (Leeds Live).

Liverpool’s scouting team should get plenty more opportunities to take a closer look at Gray given how he’s broken into the Whites’ starting XI, although the danger is that other prospective suitors could also flood the market.

The Reds have previous when it comes to signing standout prodigies in their minor years, with Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak two examples to have broken into the first team under Jurgen Klopp.

The Leeds starlet certainly seems to have the ability and mentality to follow suit if LFC can lure him to Anfield. It’ll be intriguing to see if Merseyside chiefs follow up their reported interest in him with something more concrete.

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Fabrizio Romano has shared his latest information on Liverpool-linked midfielder Florian Wirtz.

The Reds are among several top clubs from around Europe who are believed to be tracking the 20-year-old, for whom Bayer Leverkusen are set to demand at least €100m (£87.2m), according to TEAMtalk.

Manchester City are also believed to be eyeing a possible move for the youngster (90min), but the Italian transfer reporter expects the Germany international’s plethora of suitors to be disappointed in the short-term.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Romano wrote: “Contrary to other reports, I’m told there’s still no asking price and nothing decided on Wirtz. He’s very focused on Leverkusen, they are flying now and nothing is happening.

“I don’t see them selling Florian in January, he’s a key player for Xabi Alonso, so my expectation is for Wirtz to stay at the club in January.”

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Wirtz has been one of the main inspirations behind Leverkusen’s rise to the summit of the Bundesliga, with six goals and nine assists in 16 games across all competitions already this season (Transfermarkt).

While predominantly featuring in the number 10 role, he’s also capable of playing slightly deeper, as well as anywhere across the forward line (Transfermarkt), so he’d present Jurgen Klopp with plenty of scope in terms of how best to integrate him within Liverpool’s line-up.

In a similar vein to Dominik Szoboszlai, the 20-year-old particularly excels in terms of his dribbling ability, averaging 3.61 successful take-ons per 90 minutes over the past year, placing him among the top 3% of positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues (FBref).

There’s a case to be made for the Reds having a greater need to strengthen in other areas of the squad in January, but such is Wirtz’s promise that he can’t be totally ignored as a transfer target in 2024.

It does seem as if the Leverkusen gem will stay put until next summer at least, but we can probably expect to hear his name mentioned heavily in Liverpool transfer dispatches in the meantime, especially if he can continue playing a key role in Xabi Alonso’s side remaining top of the Bundesliga.

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Fabrizio Romano has dropped a hint as to when there may be more clarity surrounding Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of Andre Trindade.

The midfielder was part of the Fluminense team which won the club’s first Copa Libertadores title last weekend, and his emotional exchange with coach Fernando Diniz after the final whistle offered a strong hint of an imminent departure from the club.

The Reds had tried to sign the 22-year-old in the summer, but the Brazilian outfit persuaded him to stay put in their ultimately triumphant quest for continental glory (ESPN).

However, it seems very likely that he’ll be on the move in January, and Romano said that Liverpool and other suitors could have a clear picture of Andre’s ‘situation’ later this month.

In his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the Italian wrote: “Andre seemed to drop a hint over his future after winning the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense, and for sure he remains someone appreciated by Liverpool. As previously confirmed by the player, they wanted him in the summer, but then he and Fluminense decided together to reject the interest and wait a bit longer.

“The Brazilian midfielder remains on Liverpool’s list, but from what I’m hearing it’s not only Liverpool but other top clubs from Europe as well. There are several others trying to understand the conditions of the deal, how much Fluminense would want, so at the moment it’s evolving and I think in the next two or three weeks the situation will be more clear.

“Liverpool are still interested, but let’s see in the coming weeks what will be Fluminense’s price, and the feeling of the player, and if Liverpool really want to invest big money on this player, because I expect it could cost around €35-40m to sign him this January.”

READ MORE: Decision expected soon: Liverpool given potential boost over £52m target likely to move in January

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It does seem only a matter of time before Andre confirms his exit from Fluminense, even with their domestic season still ongoing after the Copa Libertadores triumph.

If Romano’s mooted figure of €40m (£34.7m) proves accurate, that doesn’t seem excessive for a club with Liverpool’s budget and for a defensive midfield powerhouse who played a major part in his side winning South America’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.

With the likes of Arsenal also believed to be sniffing around for the 22-year-old, the Reds can’t let a direct Premier League rival steal in for the player at this stage, having laid bare their interest several months ago with their offer in the summer.

It could be late November by the time we get a clearer indication as to Andre’s future. In the meantime, Anfield chiefs must continue their charm offensive if they’re to keep ahead of the competition for the Brazilian midfielder.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

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Liverpool look set to face competition for Andre’s signature in the upcoming January window, Fabrizio Romano has suggested.

The Italian journalist confirmed that the Brazilian midfielder remains on the Reds’ list as part of an update relayed on X by CaughtOffside columnist Ben Jacobs.

@FabrizioRomano on Andre to #LFC. "As the player confirmed they wanted him in the summer… he remains on their list. But from what I am hearing it's not only Liverpool." https://t.co/6Sov2CBQdH

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 6, 2023

The Fluminense ace played a starring role in his outfit’s Copa Libertadores final victory over Boca Juniors – the club’s first title in the competition.

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Competition from Arsenal most likely

We reported this morning on an update shared from Brazil stating that representatives from Arsenal and Fulham had joined Liverpool in observing the 22-year-old star at the Maracana.

As such, we’d expect our fellow top four hopefuls and title candidates in the Gunners to put up the biggest fight.

Which of the two projects proves the most appetising to the Brazilian Serie A footballer remains to be seen, though one can be sure that the player will most definitely be leaving in January if the right proposal comes knocking.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

The post ‘What I am hearing’: Fabrizio Romano shares fresh update he’s heard about Liverpool and Andre appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool’s interest in Andre Trindade is common knowledge by now, but the Fluminense colossus isn’t the only Brazilian midfielder who’s on the radar at Anfield.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are among several ‘top’ European clubs who’ve been ‘following’ Palmeiras teenager Luis Guilherme for a ‘long time’.

The 17-year-old recently signed a new contract with his current employers which runs to 2026 and contains a €55m (£47.7m) release clause, although it is the Sao Paulo club’s ‘strategy’ to ‘prepare [for a] future sale’.

Official, confirmed. Luiz Guilherme signs new long term deal until 2026 as €55m release clause is included.

Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea and more European top clubs have been following Luiz for long time https://t.co/xJNBx2mZPK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2023

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The attacking midfielder – who turns 18 next February – has already made 26 senior appearances for Palmeiras, albeit mostly as a substitute (Transfermarkt).

Guilherme is renowned for his searing pace, having clocked a speed of 36.4km per hour during an under-17 cup final last year (Globo Esporte), while he was recently included in The Guardian‘s ‘Next Generation’ list of 60 top youngsters to watch.

His club’s youth director João Paulo Sampaio described how the teenager left opponents ‘scared’ during a tournament in which he scored more than 40 goals, also dubbing him ‘a very special player’ (The Guardian).

His contract extension at Palmeiras isn’t so much a renewed commitment as an acknowledgement that he will be sold and that it’s their priority to extract as big a fee as possible from his eventual departure.

If Liverpool were to win the race for his signature, he could either be a squad player given game-time in domestic cups, or possibly loaned out for a season or two to gain experience at senior level in a competitive European league.

We can only wait and see if the Reds take their reported interest much further in the coming weeks and months, but Guilherme certainly looks like a hugely exciting prospect who’s worth keeping an eye on.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

The post Not just Andre: Liverpool ‘following’ another Brazilian gem; club have prepared for future sale appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fabrizio Romano has shared quotes from Andre Trindade which explain why the midfielder turned down an offer to join Liverpool during the summer transfer window.

As per ESPN Brasil, the Reds submitted a bid worth €30m (£26.2m) for the Fluminense star in August, but it was rejected by the Brazilian outfit as they didn’t want to sell him in the middle of their season, which unlike in England runs on a calendar year basis.

The 22-year-old also came to the conclusion that he felt it was best to stay put for the remainder of 2023 at least, despite admitting that he ‘dreams’ of playing for someone like LFC.

Taking to social media on Saturday night, Romano shared these comments from Andre on Liverpool’s summer offer: “It was just something I couldn’t refuse, the club, the league… Every player dreams of playing at such a club. I decided to keep my word and stay. If I’ve accepted that offer, I’d not feel 100% comfortable with myself.”

Fluminense’s André on Liverpool bid in August: “It was just something I couldn't refuse, the club, the league…”.

“Every player dreams of playing at such a club. I decided to keep my word and stay”.

“If I've accepted that offer, I’d not feel 100% comfortable with myself”. pic.twitter.com/o2ni6eFzKi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 28, 2023

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Many South America-based players would jump at the opportunity to get their big break in Europe, especially at the age of 22 when they’re no longer a starry-eyed prospect still looking to establish themselves at senior level.

Andre has already played 160 times for Fluminense and won two Brazil caps (Transfermarkt), so it would’ve been understandable if he felt that the time was right in the summer for him to accept Liverpool’s advances.

However, he might’ve felt a duty to remain with his current side while they were still involved in the Copa Libertadores, a tournament they could win for the first time in their history when they play Boca Juniors in the final next Saturday.

In addition to a commendable loyalty, it also shows a tremendous maturity from the midfielder that he didn’t jump ship to Europe when he felt that he wouldn’t be ‘comfortable’ with doing so, as well as a confidence that it mightn’t be his one and only chance of getting a transatlantic move.

Liverpool still seem confident of winning the race for Andre’s signature next year (Football Insider). If he can inspire them to a historic continental triumph next weekend, he may well feel that it’s the right moment to depart, and that he could then do so with his grateful club’s blessing.

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Fabrizio Romano has lent his weight to reports linking Liverpool with a potential move for a rising star whose playing style has been compared to a one-time Anfield great.

Last week, Florian Plettenberg claimed that the Reds and ‘especially Jürgen Klopp’ are ‘monitoring the development’ of Assan Ouedraogo, although the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan are also interested in the Schalke 04 midfielder (Sky Germany).

In Tuesday’s Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the Italian transfer reporter backed the links between LFC and the 17-year-old.

Romano wrote: “There have been reports about Liverpool being keen on Schalke youngster Assan Ouedraogo, and yes it’s true that Liverpool like him but it’s the same for Bayern Munich and AC Milan. They are all informed on his situation, on his release clauses – he has different ones based on the clubs interested.

“For sure he’s a top talent and that’s why those three clubs are interested. I think he has great potential, he’ll need some time to develop but he looks a very good player.”

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Ouedraogo made history on the double for Schalke in their first game of this season, becoming their youngest-ever player and goalscorer when he netted on his debut as they lost 5-3 to Hamburg (bundesliga.com).

As per the official Bundesliga website, he ‘plays a bit like’ former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso in how he ‘likes to drop deep and build attacks from there’, while he’s also blessed with ‘explosive pace and power to break the lines’.

He’s featured in all 10 of his side’s league games so far this season, starting seven (Transfermarkt), which shows that he’s already become a mainstay at the Veltins Arena despite only breaking into the first team in August.

For a 17-year-old to be entrusted with regular starts for a Schalke side struggling near the bottom of the German second tier, with the club at their lowest ebb since multiple relegations in the 1980s, suggests that he can handle playing in a pressurised environment where fans’ patience has worn extremely thin.

Going from near the bottom of 2.Bundesliga to the upper end of the Premier League table would be quite a leap for Ouedraogo, but he certainly appears to be showing many of the qualities which’d catch the eye were he to join Liverpool.

Considering the illustrious list of clubs being linked with him, he clearly has something special about him, and his name is bound to crop up regularly in transfer discourse between now and when the window reopens in January.

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The post ‘It’s true…’ – Romano says Liverpool ‘like’ Xabi Alonso-esque prodigy who holds 2 club records appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that, though reports of Liverpool coming to an agreement with Victor Osimhen are well wide of the mark, the Reds are ‘keeping an eye’ on ‘top’ European strikers.

This follows reports surfacing from Italy around the future of the Napoli ace, despite the fact that the Merseysiders are understood to be primarily interested in landing a left-sided centre-back and a holding midfielder in the relatively near future.

“Osimhen will take his time, but for now I can say the links with Liverpool are not true,” the renowned Italian journalist wrote for CaughtOffside in his latest exclusive Daily Briefing column.

“Of course, Liverpool and many other clubs are keeping an eye on top strikers around Europe, but nothing is agreed, Osimhen will take his time.

“We’ll have to wait and see how it will evolve, even if it is sure to be one to watch in 2024.”

The Serie A hitman has been in outstanding form once again for the Naples-based outfit, amassing a tally of six goals and an assist from 10 appearances this term.

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We could certainly understand why many of Europe’s top sides would be keeping a close eye on Osimhen, particularly given the fact that there’ll only be a year remaining on his contract come the summer of 2024.

On our end, however, we simply can’t see why we’d be seriously interested in snapping up his services – especially given that any potential Mo Salah replacement (should one even be required) would need to be proficient from the right flank.

That firmly rules out the 24-year-old in question, one might reasonably imagine, from our point of view.

A highly talented figure in the sport – but just not what we’re looking for at this point in time!

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

The post ‘Keeping an eye on…’: Fabrizio Romano drops intriguing Liverpool transfer update this morning appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fabrizio Romano has shared what he knows regarding the recent links surrounding Victor Osimhen and Liverpool.

There were reports from some outlets in Italy last week indicating that the Reds had already reached an ‘agreement’ with the Napoli striker, amid a contract standoff with the Serie A champions.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the renowned transfer journalist has now weighed in with his understanding of the situation amid these rumours.

Romano stated: “Despite some media reports in Italy stating that [Osimhen has] agreed a contract with Liverpool, my understanding is that he hasn’t agreed anything with any club. There is not even an agreement over a new contract with Napoli, despite receiving a huge offer from his current club.

“Osimhen will take his time, but for now I can say the links with Liverpool are not true. Of course, Liverpool and many other clubs are keeping an eye on top strikers around Europe, but nothing is agreed, Osimhen will take his time.

“We’ll have to wait and see how it will evolve, even if it is sure to be one to watch in 2024.”

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Despite multiple reports from Italy in recent days talking up the possibility of Osimhen moving to Liverpool, Romano’s reputation as a reliable source of transfer news suggests that the Napoli marksman hasn’t been in direct contact with the Reds.

The Nigerian – who fired his club to title glory last season with 26 goals in 32 league games – has netted in his three most recent Serie A matches, missing out on the weekend’s 3-1 win at Verona through injury (Transfermarkt).

Even if the Reds haven’t reached any agreement with the 24-year-old as of yet, that isn’t to say they won’t try their luck in 2024, especially if Saudi Pro League clubs come knocking for the mercurial Mo Salah once more.

However, with Osimhen reportedly commanding a whopping £150m price tag (football.london) and Liverpool probably more likely to target other areas of their squad, right now it seems difficult to imagine the Anfield hierarchy going all-out for him.

Still, the picture could change over the next few months, so let’s wait and see if more sustained rumours do emerge in the foreseeable future.

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

The post ‘My understanding is…’ – Fabrizio Romano clarifies rumours linking Osimhen with Liverpool appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.