OPINION
Dominic Solanke was confirmed as a Bournemouth player on Friday after they agreed a fee of £19million rising to £25million for a striker with one Premier League goal to his name.
That looks a remarkable piece of business from Liverpool, who have made a habit of getting top dollar for their players in recent years as they become the masters of the market.
Had the Merseyside giants been able to agree terms with Palace earlier in the week, he would still be registered to Liverpool and would have exited on loan.
Liverpool fans will be intrigued as the real reason why the 21-year-old’s move to Selhurst Park collapsed.
The Guardian explain the Londoners “had some fitness concerns” given that Solanke has been suffering from a muscle injury and they tried to negotiate a deal in which “part of the loan fee” was linked to appearances.
Liverpool pulled up the drawbridge and moved on, aware of the interest in the Chelsea academy product and that they could negotiate a far more preferable outcome with another club.
Fortunately, it appears Solanke did not have his heart set on Palace.
Once again, Liverpool have showed they can’t be manipulated like they once could in the transfer market, during the days when all their departees left for a loss.
Now, the Michael Edwards-led recruitment department are coming up smelling of roses for transfers of players who have achieved little of note and are miles off their starting XI.