As deadline day nears, Liverpool is accelerating its transfer activity. Despite being the only club in Europe’s top five leagues not to strengthen its squad this summer, Richard Hughes and his team have been active in arranging profitable departures for some of the club’s young talents.
Midfielder Bobby Clark is the latest player to depart Liverpool, having completed a £10m move to Red Bull Salzburg. The 19-year-old, signed from Newcastle United for £1.5m in 2021, will reunite with Pep Lijnders in Austria. Lijnders, the former Liverpool assistant manager, is believed to have played a key role in facilitating the transfer.
In addition to obtaining a substantial transfer fee for Clark, Liverpool secured a 17.5 percent sell-on clause and negotiated matching rights if the 19-year-old moves on from Salzburg. Clark’s departure follows Fabio Carvalho’s exit from Merseyside last week, with Carvalho joining Brentford for a fee that could increase to £27.5m.
Although the departure of some fringe players like Clark and Carvalho might have surprised parts of the fanbase, the funds from their transfers could prove advantageous for Liverpool in the long run, adding to the club’s transfer budget. Clark and Carvalho aren’t the only ones potentially moving on this summer; several other Arne Slot’s squad members are also anticipated to depart before next Friday’s deadline.
Sepp van den Berg, who arrived at Liverpool in 2019 for £4.4m from PEC Zwolle, has now signed with Brentford. The west London club has reached a deal to buy the defender for £25m, plus an additional £5m in add-ons. Van den Berg, who was impressed during his loan at Mainz last season, also attracted interest from German champion Bayer Leverkusen.
The fee is notable, given that he has yet to make a Premier League appearance for Liverpool.
Transfer Updates: Portsmouth Close in on Harvey Blair, Gomez’s Future Uncertain, and More
In other news, Portsmouth are close to finalizing the permanent transfer of forward Harvey Blair, having reached a £300k agreement with Liverpool for the 20-year-old.
Although Blair’s transfer fee is modest compared to some of his teammates, it’s favorable for all involved. With only one year left on his contract and his experience primarily limited to academy football, the arrangement benefits both the player and the clubs.
On the other hand, Joe Gomez is weighing his options as he considers a possible departure from Liverpool before August 30. Earlier in the window, Liverpool had reached a £45m agreement to sell Gomez to Newcastle, which would have included Anthony Gordon moving to Liverpool for £75m as part of the deal.
Despite the transfer falling through, Gomez’s future is still uncertain. The England international was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Premier League opener against Ipswich Town last weekend. While the Reds have emphasized that he is still a valued team member and could be considered for Sunday’s match against Brentford, his departure this summer would provide the club with a significant financial boost.
Tyler Morton and Nat Phillips will likely finalize permanent transfers in the coming week. Morton, who has made a strong impression during his loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City in the Championship, is valued at £20m. Meanwhile, Phillips has drawn interest from Turkish clubs and Championship teams this summer.
Several other young players are likely to go out on loan. However, Liverpool might consider permanent deals if attractive offers come in. Ben Doak, valued at £10m, and left-back Owen Beck have been rumored to be on the verge of permanent moves. Additionally, Kaide Gordon, James McConnell, Calum Scanlon, and Marcelo Pitaluga are all expected to secure temporary transfers away from Anfield.
One surprising name linked with a loan move is Stefan Bajcetic. He impressed in the first team during the 2021/22 season but missed much of last season due to injuries. With Liverpool still without a defensive midfielder after Martin Zubimendi’s transfer fell through, it might be wise to keep the 19-year-old at the club. However, he could also benefit from regular game time after being sidelined for so long.
Wataru Endo might also be a surprise departure, with Marseille making an £11.8m offer for him earlier this summer. Although it seems unlikely that the Japan international will leave Liverpool, this could change if the club secures a new No.6 before next Friday.
Stay on Top of the Game! Get the latest football news, updates, and insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe Now
