The Express reports that Liverpool have stepped up their interest in a £6 million deal for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Tiago Ilori.
Reds’ boss Brendan Rodgers has been keeping a close eye on the Portugal U-20s international all summer, and believes that Ilori could be the key to rectifying his defensive problems following injuries to Sebastian Coates and, most recently, Kolo Toure, whose injury has come just days before Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United.
Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel is expected to make a return to the team for Sunday’s match, but this only leaves Daniel Agger and Andre Wisdom for defensive cover.
The 20 year old Ilori broke into Lisbon’s first team last season and impressed in his debut season despite the Portuguese outfit’s poor showing throughout, however he has not featured in a game this season.
Liverpool made an offer of around £3 million earlier in the transfer window, though Liverpool’s desperate need to bolster their defences mean it is likely they will adhere to Lisbon’s asking price of £6 million.
Portuguese media outlet, O Jogo, has reported that Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal after Lisbon’s chief executive, Bruno de Carvalho, granted the Reds permission to open negotiations with Ilori.
Ilori had initially been negotiating with Lisbon over a new deal but, now that they have broken down, the club seem to have resigned to his departure.
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By the way Marc..great comment fella.. At least theres someone who can think out of the box. Looking forward for your future comments.
can someone please explain why we’re willing to pay 6m on a 20 year old with limited experience but won’t play a 19 year old (wisdom) with the same amount of games or martin kelly who is a central defender anyway? seems to me that the bloke with the fancy foreign name is always so much better than what we have under our noses!
Yes. llori wont get near our first team anyway
What an absolute joke.. Who is actually controlling this ridiculous transfer policy? What happened to the major signing that was going to bring us an extra 20-25 goals a season?
And we’re supposed to challenge for Champions League? We’ll be lucky to make the Europa League spot.. Go way and sort yourself out FSG.. Money hungry pri*ks have no real interest in the club, evident by your permanent residency in Boston…What an absolute joke.. Who is actually controlling this ridiculous transfer policy? What happened to the major signing that was going to bring us an extra 20-25 goals a season?
And we’re supposed to challenge for Champions League? We’ll be lucky to make the Europa League spot.. Go way and sort yourself out FSG.. Money hungry pri*ks have no real interest in the club, evident by your permanent residency in Boston…