Liverpool are plotting to offer Portuguese giants Benfica two of their players as well as £18million (€21million) in a stunning swap deal for attacking midfielder Talisca, according to Fotospor.
The Turkish magazine claim on their website that the Merseyside club are looking to avoid splashing out the £35million (€40million) price tag that the 24-year-old’s club have slapped on his head after impressing on loan at Besiktas, and are looking to find a compromise with a swap-plus-cash deal.
As the Reds look to poach the 6’2″ playmaker from Portugal, the Turkish club, where he has scored 20 goals in 47 appearances, are said to be eyeing up Liverpool’s senior outcast Daniel Sturridge as a replacement, having spent the second season out on loan at relegated West Brom.
Good move for Liverpool?
It all depends on who the two players being offered up to the Portuguese side are, for are they really going to be worth less than the £17million difference in cash value from Benfica’s valuation?
If Jurgen Klopp can get some of his deadwood out in the deal then it would absolutely be a good move, for he is killing two birds with one stone.
However there are not too many stars deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield and losing two squad players just shrinks the size of the first team.
Getting rid of Sturridge would be a good move, and it looks as though Talisca’s move could help the Reds whether he joins or not.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
This is the sticking point, for three players have to agree to the terms of a move rather than just one, as would be the case with a typical transfer deal.
Swapping one man for the Benfica man might have a chance of working but the complications a two-player-plus-cash swap deal has just makes it difficult and a lot of hassle for the parties involved.
If Liverpool want the 20-goal star, they may want to keep it simple, for they will not be the only ones in the hunt.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10