Reds ready to complete BLOCKBUSTER €30m deal

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes spoke last summer about the club potentially conducting “opportunistic” transfers.

He meant that if the right player came available at the right price then it might be something the Reds would consider. Federico Chiesa was a case in point.

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Here was a bonafide champion available for around £12m as a result of an expiring contract where once Juventus would have demanded around £50m.

While many fans were concerned about such language, there is certainly a justifiable reason for seeking maximum value. Liverpool don’t have the benefit of a nation-state backing them and therefore have to make the numbers work.

And in transfer windows upcoming it is likely that FSG and Hughes will seek to utilise the same strategy.

Lyon in financial distress

A few weeks back it emerged that one such opportunistic transfer could take place. Lyon - one of the most storied clubs in France - are facing significant financial distress.

They will be BANNED from making transfers during January and are facing relegation from Ligue 1 at the end of the season unless they can get their financial house in order.

Accordingly, their prized assets have been touted for sale including exciting attacker Rayan Cherki.

Having broken through to the first team aged only 16, the mercurial Frenchman is having possibly the best season of his career this term. And that has alerted not only Liverpool but Paris Saint-Germain to his potential availability.

Liverpool set for PSG showdown for Cherki

A report in Foot Mercato reveals that the Reds and PSG are ready to go toe-to-toe for the 21-year-old in the January transfer window. The chief reason is that both clubs are seeking to avoid a bidding war on the player next summer.

Other teams - such as Bayer Leverkusen - have also been credited with interest but right now it’s Arne Slot’s side and PSG who are described as “hottest” on the schemer’s trail.

Cherki is under contract until 2026 and French reports suggest there will be a one-year extension triggered should he fail to change clubs before next summer.

He will be available at a price of around €30m, meaning Liverpool would be picking up a potentially world-class player who could figure in three different positions for a fraction of his true worth.

Last week following a starring role in Lyon’s Europa League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, Cherki said: "For now, there are still two matches left and we'll see at the end of the season if I'm still here."

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