With Jurgen Klopp’s official departure as manager of Liverpool now confirmed, fans already know that Dutchman, and former Feyenoord gaffer, Arne Slot will be his replacement in the dug out for the coming 2024/25 campaign.
It was already set to be a fascinating summer at the club as there are a plethora of decisions to be taken when it comes to the current playing staff, and fans have long been well aware of the intense speculation surrounding some of their key stars who have been tipped with moves on to pastures new, but it seems 45 year old Slot, now walks into a fresh problem following claims that Alexis Mac Allister, he actually has a £60 million release fee built into his deal that comes into play from this summers’ transfer window.
The 25 year old former Brighton and Hove Albion has enjoyed a stellar first season on Merseyside, and his performance levels have more than built on the promise he showed at the Amex Stadium, and the potential that was clearly on show when he played his part in helping Argentina to their 2022 World Cup victory over France.
It should be said, these reports are coming from his homeland so there are questions surrounding their veracity, particularly as the most obvious link is instantly said to be Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid, but they are then distanced from making any real potential bid because their budget focus is on Paris Saint-Germain and French international striker, Kylian Mbappe, so if they hold no real interest until the summer of 2025 at the earliest as they reportedly view him as Croatian Luka Modric’s eventual successor, how is this news right now?
There are even fewer real details about why the talk of the release clause has emerged now. Was there a 12 month delay, is it a limited period release fee that returns each summer, or is it a very curious ‘one off opportunity’ and whatever the true case may be, why is it in reality, incredibly on the low side for a player of his calibre.
I doubt this particular rumour will go away anytime soon, but I have the feeling that the vast majority of Liverpool fans will simply consign it to Bin 13 and not even bother spending five seconds worrying about it.
Slot has confirmed his arrival himself, but the official statement from the club has been delayed, presumably out of respect for Klopp, but it is certainly set to be an interesting 12 months ahead for fans and neutrals alike.