LFC Transfer Window Update I – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The football season is now over and Liverpool have secured their 19th league title. Cue the inevitable round of speculation and rumour during the transfer window. So, here’s a weekly round up of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in the market so far.
The Good
News that the club were able to bring in a new player. Kostas Tsimikas has joined the Reds from Greek side Olympiakos in a deal worth a reported £11.7m.
It was widely known that Jürgen Klopp’s first choice was Luton-born Norwich City left back Jamal Lewis. However, with the East Anglian club insisting on double the reported £10m Liverpool were prepared to pay, there was only going to be one outcome of the discussion.
It will be interesting to see how relations remain between player and club develop after this episode. I’d bet the sourest of sour grapes can’t describe how Lewis must be feeling now.
I’m impressed at how Liverpool we’re able to quickly switch their attention and not get caught in a war of words, money and who knows what else in this situation. As the saying goes, without a plan B, there is no plan. From what I’ve seen of Tsimikas, he seems like a very, very good player. One of the standard flattering videos can be found here.
As we know, the left back position has been an ongoing problem for Liverpool. Not just in Klopp’s reign but going back years. The manager has often had to revert to paying a right-footed player in that role, with varying degrees of success.
Welcome to Liverpool, Kostas Tsimikas! 🔴✍️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 10, 2020
The Bad
The way that Norwich City handled the Liverpool bid. Yes, of course they’re entitled to request a fee which they feel represents the value they place in Lewis. But really? £20m?
Reportedly, Norwich weren’t happy with the Liverpool’s conduct with their bid, although this seems only to be because the amount offered didn’t meet their valuation. I could understand their point if the the Reds had put fifty-quid on the table. That would be taking the piss. However, was £10m really such a “derisory” figure?
Norwich’s sporting director Stuart Webber was some while back the director of recruitment at Liverpool. Could there be a hint of jealousy here? Norwich rejected a £12m bid from Crystal Palace earlier this year for the player so they clearly rate him highly. But £20m?
The last on the topic was that Norwich City had lowered their price to £15m but by that time, the gravy train had already departed. Now the relegated club are “fuming” at the fact that Liverpool have told them to ‘do one‘ and gone for an alternative. The mind boggles!
Norwich left puzzled by Liverpool's Jamal Lewis decision and Kostas Tsimikas transfer, according to reports#LFC https://t.co/U1ZlW397yT pic.twitter.com/eeyf5jB5nv
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) August 12, 2020
The Ugly
The fact that Liverpool are no longer being taken for a ride in the transfer market. The saga with Jamal Lewis simply goes to show the way that clubs act when they hear that the Merseyside club are interested in their player. What’s ugly about that? I hear you cry…
It certainly isn’t Ugly from a Liverpool perspective. However for young Lewis, I don’t think he’ll be too happy with the situation. If there was a better example of ‘cut off your nose to spite your face‘, I’d like to see it.
According to reports, he flew back from holiday to conclude this deal. Imagine that. Laying on a beach somewhere and getting a call that Liverpool have made a bid for you. Then to come back and find it’s all gone ‘Pete Tong‘.
The worst thing is when it’s fallen through because your club have acted like kids in the proverbial Sweet Shop. Effectively, Norwich City in their wisdom have done the poor boy out of his dream. And as chances are, there’s unlikely to be another one. Not a pretty sight to behold, I’m sure.
I’m glad we are taking the stance on transfers and not being bullied by clubs to pay over the odds, Norwich over valued Jamal Lewis so we dropped it and tied up another player within days. I like this style
— Jay Chambers (@JChambersSN) August 10, 2020
Watch this space for another update next week.
In addition, the latest book from the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly weekly is out now. Relive this historic season. Available for purchase on Amazon, or directly from The LFC File. Click here to secure your copy. Either as an eBook (€5) or as a physical paperback (€8).
