Liverpool are busy at the moment without looking over their rivals. But the reality is that there are potentially seismic changes taking place across the Premier League and beyond.
Some clubs, like Liverpool, are feeling the ripple effect from the new influx of money in the Saudi Pro League. It has been an important catalyst for the transfer market.
There is also Saudi money to be spent at Newcastle, although Eddie Howe has admitted that Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits what can be done in the transfer market. Despite that, there is apparently a mega bid for an apparent Liverpool target who was once slated as a Sadio Mané successor.
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Then there are more traditional transfer sagas that unfold. Not for the first time, Tottenham are facing serious interest in Harry Kane from a big club and Bayern Munich appear to be edging closer to a deal than previous suitors have managed in a deal that would reshape the landscape of the Premier League. The player himself has reportedly announced a decision.
Here Liverpool.com takes a scan around the other big sides in the Premier League and around Europe to take a look at the news in the other clubs.
Harry Kane ‘gives his word’
Bayern Munich legend and ‘board member’ Uli Hoeneß has claimed Kane has ‘given his word’ to Bayern Munich as the Spurs striker continues to be linked with a move.
It is per Sports 1, who spoke to Hoeneß at Bayern’s training camp. The message was clear:
“Harry Kane has clearly signaled in all conversations that his decision is firm – and if it stays, then we’ll get him, because then Tottenham will have to buckle down!”
‘Stays’ has been translated to Express and various other businesses that ‘keep their word’. For all intents and purposes, the strategy looks a lot like that used by previous Kane suitors, relying on pressure from the player. But unlike parties that have previously been interested, Bayern Munich has gone as far as submitting two transfer offers, per Athletics.
Liverpool.com says: As Hoeneß also admitted in the interview, Daniel Levy is a formidable opponent in the negotiations, and it is unlikely that it will bring results if he knocks that he is “bowing”. With Manchester City interested, Kane went so far as to skip training for a short period, but Spurs would not budge.
In the end, Bayern Munich will have to shell out the money to convince Levy and Spurs. It will require a large transfer fee. But unlike previous suitors, the Bavarians can at least offer a way for Tottenham to make serious money without bolstering a rival.
As it happens, it would also be the best result for Liverpool. Kane would make any of the rest of the Big Six a far more dangerous proposition and he has also done plenty of damage while at Spurs. Seeing him move to Europe would be welcome.
Newcastle ‘makes mega transfer bid’ for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
It’s a big summer for Newcastle as they look to build on their Champions League finish and continue their rapid rise under Saudi ownership. There has already been a big transfer splash with Sandro Tonali arriving at St James’ Park.
There may be more on the way. According to Italian outlet Sports courier, citing Saudi reports, a bid has been presented for Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Newcastle have offered $107m (£82m/€95m) to land the Georgian.
Liverpool saw Kvaratskhelia’s quality first hand in the Champions League last season. There has also been apparent interest from Jürgen Klopp’s side, too transfers claimed in April that FSG would be prepared to break the Serie A transfer record as it looks to reshape its front line without Mané and Roberto Firmino.
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Liverpool.com says: An explosive winger, Kvaratskhelia would make sense as a Mané successor given his profile. But as the apparent Newcastle bid makes clear, he would come at a very high price after helping Napoli to the Serie A title.
There is also a strong case that Liverpool already have their Mané heir, with Luis Díaz playing a similar role. Likewise, Cody Gakpo is being trained to replace Firmino, while Darwin Núñez provides another exciting option through the middle.
In short, the front line looks wide and if there is a need, it is for a player who can eventually take over from Mohamed Salah. Very two-footed, Kvaratskhelia could arguably be that player despite spending most of his career on the left, but attack certainly won’t be Liverpool’s priority. If Newcastle’s interest is legitimate, there is very little prospect of a hijack attempt from Anfield.
Still, he would be a worryingly exciting addition for Newcastle, further indicating the ambition of the project. It would also cast doubt on Howe’s recent insistence that FFP concerns are imminent.