OPINION
Talk about bolt from the blue. It was widely expected that Dominic Solanke would depart Liverpool this month, but widespread reports stated he would go on loan and return at the end of the campaign. No-one expected a permanent move, and Bournemouth’s interest was barely trailed, either. Minutes before the Cherries announced on Friday afternoon that Solanke had signed permanently, it emerged that Liverpool had pulled off one of the deals of this or any other window. They had negotiated a deal in which Bournemouth would pay £19million rising to a potential £25million for a player with one Premier League goal to his name. Solanke might very well be bursting with potential, but his performances last season clearly highlighted how far he has to go. This season? The England Under-21 regular has been nowhere near the Liverpool starting XI. Director of football Michael Edwards has pulled off an absolute blinder to secure that amount of money for Solanke. He has made a habit of getting top dollar for Liverpool departees in recent years. Fans on social media claim the recruitment chief has the midas touch.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/cledz10/status/1081219309819580416
£17million for Solanke who scored once for #LFC. What had the football world come too. Shaqiri cost #LFC £13m. Michael Edwards is a genius.
Good luck at Bournemouth Solanke and Clyne. #YNWA
— Mersey Reds (@MerseyReds1) January 4, 2019
I’m still baffled at how we got 19m for Solanke. I hope Michael Edwards spent the day in a Highwaymans costume.
— Ferg (@itsferg_) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Gerard_RS/status/1081344678048325632
https://twitter.com/AndrewQ68003418/status/1081357058241429509
3/4 of the Premier League don’t know who Solanke is and Michael Edwards is here selling him for 19M. What a genius fella. https://t.co/vqULpNp4gY
— Nicholsen Arvind (@NickBreeezyyy) January 5, 2019
Dominic Solanke – £19m
Jordon Ibe – £15m
Brad Smith – £8m
Total = £42mMeanwhile…
Andy Robertson £8m
Xherdan Shaqiri £12m
Total = £20mMichael Edwards strikes again. ?#YNWA #LFC pic.twitter.com/zsP1d1Sn8X
— fatah (@fatahhtah) January 5, 2019
The only good thing Damien Comolli did in his reign as Director of football was hire Michael Edwards, the man is an absolute transfer GURU !!! #LFC #Solanke https://t.co/w2cUHrU8UB
— Paddy Kelleher (@PaddyKelleher_) January 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/esto_es_anfield/status/1081520664945852417
Sign Shaqiri and Robertson for combined £21M.
Sell Solanke for £19M plus add ons ??
Michael Edwards is a wizard.. ?— stephen kidney (@stephenkidney1) January 5, 2019