Liverpool pursuing Thuram & more, but the FSG debacle continues

Liverpool Football Club is negotiating with Nice over the potential transfer of midfielder Khéphren Thuram. According to journalist Rudy Galetti, talks between the two clubs are progressing, with a fee in the range of $44m (£35m/€40m) to $49m (£39m/€45m) being discussed. 

Once the clubs agree on the transfer fee, personal terms will not be an issue, and Thuram would only need to pass a medical examination. However, there may be a delay in finalizing the deal due to Thuram’s participation in the Under-21 European Championships with the French national team.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Thuram comes after their recent move for Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Thuram, who primarily played as a number-eight for Nice last season, could form a new midfield partnership with Mac Allister in Liverpool’s lineup. 

Thuram would be a perfect add-on to the club in front as the club looks at newfound midfield combinations, with Trent Alexander Arnold putting his hand up for promotion up front after the England Euro 2024 game. Arnold was seen playing in the midfield, delighting the fans with LFC tickets, and now Thuram could benefit from the assists that TAA is expected to send through. 

A separate report claims that Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has expressed a strong interest in signing Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid. Klopp had reportedly pursued a deal for Camavinga during his time at Stade Rennais, and he has been impressed with the midfielder’s progress since his move to Real Madrid. 

Liverpool is said to have offered Camavinga a lucrative yearly salary of $22m (£17m/€20m) before tax, hoping to take advantage of Real Madrid’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham. However, Real Madrid will offer Camavinga a contract extension, potentially including a significant release clause, to secure his future at the club, which would mean bad news for those with LFC tickets. 

Reds want Leipzig’s top talent! 

The Reds are actively exploring the possibility of securing the services of Dominik Szoboszlai, a talented attacker from RB Leipzig. Recent developments indicate that Liverpool officials have held discussions with the representatives of the 22-year-old Hungarian player, signaling their keen interest in a potential transfer during the upcoming summer window.

However, it is acknowledged within the club that finalizing a deal for Szoboszlai will be a challenging endeavor, given the intricacies involved. The player’s contract reportedly includes a release clause of €70 million, although conflicting reports have surfaced regarding its expiry date. Nevertheless, any prospective move for Szoboszlai would undoubtedly require a significant financial investment on Liverpool’s part.

Szoboszlai emerges as the latest candidate to bolster Liverpool’s attacking midfield options, aligning with the club’s desired player profile for the transfer window. This pursuit follows their earlier interest in securing the services of England international Mason Mount, illustrating Liverpool’s commitment to strengthening their offensive capabilities.

While Liverpool is also considering other potential targets, such as Khephren Thuram and Romeo Lavia, Szoboszlai currently holds a prominent position in the club’s strategic plans. It should be noted that this pursuit is separate from any discussions regarding Fabio Carvalho’s potential loan move to RB Leipzig.

As a critical player for RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai showcased his talent throughout the 2022-23 season, making 48 appearances and contributing ten goals to his team’s cause. His impressive performances have also earned him 32 caps for the Hungarian national team, further highlighting his growing reputation on the international stage.

The proactive approach in transfers is undoubtedly appealing to those who head out to Anfield every season with LFC tickets, and in contrast to last season, the club is performing way better. 

Chiesa from Juventus?

According to reports, Jurgen Klopp is determined to strengthen Liverpool’s squad by pursuing the signing of a Juventus attacker. The player’s difficulties in Turin indicate that a departure is likely shortly.

Despite missing out on Champions League football, Liverpool remains in the Europa League. Klopp recognizes the need to enhance the quality of the squad to meet the demands of both domestic and European competitions, especially after the team’s struggles last season. While the forward positions seem well-covered, Klopp is still keen on increasing competition for places.

Federico Chiesa of Juventus has emerged as a target for Liverpool. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Chiesa is facing challenges in Turin and has a strained relationship with Juventus manager Max Allegri. 

Allegri’s preferred 3-5-2 formation limits Chiesa’s natural wing play, often placing him as a second striker or wing-back, which does not suit his qualities. Consequently, contract renewal negotiations have reached a stalemate, potentially increasing the chances of Chiesa leaving the Serie A giants.

Liverpool, hopeful of securing a bargain deal, is rumored to have expressed interest in Chiesa with a potential offer of €40 million. Aston Villa is also reportedly keen on the player. Although Liverpool may not possess the historical allure of certain other clubs, playing under Klopp’s management is considered an attractive prospect for many players. Klopp is willing to guarantee Chiesa a role as a wide forward in the Liverpool team. 

However, the current stumbling block is Juventus’ firm stance on their €60 million asking price. If Chiesa’s issues persist in Turin, there could be room for negotiation that benefits both clubs in the future. Liverpool remains determined to strengthen their squad and secure the services of Chiesa as they aim to compete at the highest level in domestic and European competitions.

With no Champions League LFC tickets at Anfield this year, the team is all out to ensure that they bring the Europa League at all costs. 

FSG Funding is still in a negative balance 

Amidst these transfer discussions, Liverpool’s ownership is facing a critical juncture. The club’s net owner funding has been unfavorable over the past five years, primarily due to loans made by the owners for stadium expansion. 

While the repayment of these loans has raised concerns among fans, Liverpool’s ownership model follows an autonomous approach, where the club funds its operations without direct financial contributions from the owners. This model came into place, believing that financial fair play regulations would require all clubs to operate similarly. 

However, the challenge arises when competing against state-backed clubs with significant financial resources.

The owners’ lack of additional investment in the club has led to questions about the future sustainability of Liverpool’s competitiveness. With a change in strategy, significant investment, or a change in ownership, Liverpool may be able to compete financially with clubs such as Manchester City, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Arsenal. 

The reality of Liverpool’s owner funding debate is simply summarized: FSG (Fenway Sports Group) has implemented a self-sustaining model at Liverpool FC. The club funds all its matters, and the owners do not inject money into the club or take money out.

At first glance, this approach seems sensible. A sports organization should use the revenue it generates to support its operations. It aligns with FSG’s belief when they initially acquired Liverpool FC, as they anticipated that Financial Fair Play regulations from UEFA and the Premier League would necessitate clubs to adopt such an autonomous approach.

Under FSG’s ownership, Liverpool’s commercial revenue has significantly increased, providing additional funds for player investments. They have also overseen the expansion of Anfield Stadium to accommodate over 60,000 spectators and the development of a new training ground, addressing infrastructure limitations that had plagued the club for many years.

However, a problem arises when considering the absence of direct financial injections from FSG during their ownership, angering everyone who turns up at games with LFC tickets. 

According to Forbes, what happens when they decide to sell the club, which they purchased for £300 million but is at over £4.3 billion?

In 2021, FSG received a £533 million investment from RedBird Capital Partners. Everyone with LFC tickets assumed it was an inflow to the club, but it didn’t come through to Anfield. 

While Liverpool FC’s inclusion influenced this investment in FSG’s portfolio, no additional capital was injected into the club. Therefore, although FSG does not directly withdraw money from the club year-on-year, they still benefit significantly from its financial growth. Their gains will be even more substantial if and when they sell the club.

Adaptation and careful decision-making will be crucial for Liverpool’s highly competitive Premier League success.

LFC tickets for Liverpool friendlies are already out.