Liverpool open initial talks to sign 29-year-old, deal could be agreed at £10m

Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Liverpool are linked with a surprise move for Neil Etheridge…

Liverpool have opened preliminary talks with Cardiff City about signing £10m-rated goalkeeper Neil Etheridge this summer after identifying him as a possible replacement for Simon Mignolet, according to WalesOnline.

Jurgen Klopp is set to only make minor adjustments to his squad after Liverpool won the Champions League and just missed out on the Premier League title by one point to Manchester City last season.

However, one position Klopp is expected to strengthen is in the goalkeeping department as Simon Mignolet is being strongly linked with a move away from Anfield after losing the first team shirt to Alisson Becker.

Loris Karius – who spent last season on loan at Besiktas – is also being tipped to secure a permanent move away from Liverpool this summer so Klopp is going to have to dip into the market to find a new Number.2.

A surprise name has emerged as a potential target as Wales Online claim that Liverpool have made contact with Cardiff to discuss a possible deal for Neil Etheridge – who’s being linked with a move following Cardiff’s relegation to the Championship.

Etheridge joined Cardiff from Walsall in 2017 and he played in every minute of their 38 Premier League games last season but he was unable to prevent them finishing in the bottom three after conceding 69 goals.

According to Wales Online, Liverpool are yet to make a formal move for the 29-year-old but it appears he’s on Klopp’s radar as the German coach prepares for Mignolet’s exit this summer.

However, the Merseysiders will face stiff competition as the report says Aston Villa after ready to make a fresh bid for Etheridge after seeing an opening £8m offer knocked back while Fulham and West Ham are also showing a keen interest.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news

Obviously Etheridge will find regular first team football hard to come by at Anfield as he’s highly unlikely to oust Alisson so Wales Online suggest that the Filipino international would favour a move to Villa where he’ll be first choice.

Cardiff are still keen to keep hold of Etheridge despite the interest being shown but the report suggests they’ll be forced to cash-in if an offer worth at least £10m is put on the table.