Liverpool move for playmaker is ON after €81m deal agreed

A Liverpool move for one of Europe's leading playmakers is very much on after an €81m deal was sorted this week.

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Liverpool are yet to make a major splash in the transfer market under Richard Hughes. Depending on how you view the £30m spent on Giorgi Mamardashvili, anyway.

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The goalkeeper has signed for Liverpool and is Hughes' biggest signing so far. At the same time, he's not actually a Red yet - Mamardashvili has remained with Valencia until the end of this season.

We'll see what happens from there.

For now, though, he's the 'major' signing, without actually being a 'major' addition to Arne Slot's squad. Federico Chiesa did join in the summer but he hasn't made a splash. He was also a relatively cheap punt at £12m.

This summer, though, will almost certainly bring changes. For one, several top stars are strongly linked with exits and they'll need replacing.

Hughes and co. will be on the lookout, then - and one potentially massive transfer just got a little easier.

Xavi Simons joins RB Leipzig - for now

Xavi Simons officially joined RB Leipzig on a permanent deal this week. Per Fabrizio Romano, Leipzig completed an €81m deal for Simons, though far from all of that was guaranteed.

But this isn't expected to be a permanent home for Simons. For one, he's only signed a two-and-a-half-year contract - a sure sign that this is more about signing the player for a profit.

And that's reportedly what will happen. Bild's Christian Falk says Leipzig are immediately open to a sale and would accept around €80m.

Yes, that's a lower figure than the total they've just paid PSG but selling him would mean plenty of add-ons aren't triggered, so Leipzig would be looking at a sizeable profit regardless. And Falk claims Liverpool are one of those considering whether to give them that profit.

Simons has been linked with Liverpool plenty in the past, too. He's an incredibly exciting prospect and quite plainly available.

If Leipzig wait just one year to sell, Simons will be heading into the final year of his contract. They'll never get that €80m.

The worry was that PSG would hold onto him, handing out a permanent role in their side and refusing to sell. Instead, the deal this week has opened the door wider than ever.

If Liverpool do want to add Simons for next season, the chance is there. He's waiting.

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