Rome: Liverpool have opened talks with Roma over the possible signing of the Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, with an initial offer of Euro 70 million including add-ons being lodged with the Serie A club.
Roma are holding out for another Euro 5 million to take the total fee to Euro 75 million for the 25-year-old but both clubs are hopeful that an agreement can be reached.
Chelsea are also still interested in the Brazilian, should Thibaut Courtois leave. Real Madrid, another possible suitor, have yet to make contact with Roma.
Liverpool signed Mohammad Salah from Roma last season but despite the good relationship the clubs enjoy, the Italian club would not hesitate to sell Alisson to any other club that matches their valuation.
If the deal goes through it would make Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, eclipsing the Euro 53 million paid by Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001 and the Euro 40 million it cost Manchester City to buy Ederson from Benfica last summer.
Loris Karius ended last season as Liverpool’s No 1 but was embarrassed by two mistakes in the Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
Another player who could be departing Anfield is Daniel Sturridge, but manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that the England forward may still have a future with the club.
Sturridge has been hindered by several long-term injuries over the last few campaigns, with the England international passing the 10-goal mark only once over the last four seasons, scoring 13 in the 2015-16 season.
The 28-year-old was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion last January but failed to make an impact at the Hawthorns outfit, failing to score in six appearances for the relegated club.
“I always said there is a future, it’s about what we do in the moment. At the moment it’s all good and we don’t have to make decisions,” Klopp said.
“I don’t think about my players like this like, maybe he’s in or out. With the young ones we make these decisions but not with the other guys. They show up, and it should be easy for me in the end.
“The window is still open, right? Is it closing tomorrow? No? Good!”
Sturridge, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England team for the World Cup, has been linked with a move to Spain’s Sevilla and Turkish top-flight club Besiktas by British media.
