Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has jetted out on a transfer mission as the club look to solve their long-term problems in goal, according to the Irish Independent.
The newspaper claim Achterberg was at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night to watch Shamrock Rovers number one Gavin Bazunu in action.
The Irish Independent report the 16-year-old has recently had a week-long trial at Celtic, who are sponsoring his school fees at Ashfield College ahead of sitting his leaving certificate next year, and a deal with the Hoops, Liverpool or one of his other suitors “could be brokered in the coming weeks”.
OPINION
The presence of Achterberg in Ireland strongly suggests Liverpool have Bazunu firmly in their sights. The Anfield coach watched the rising star keep his third clean sheet in a row as his side secured a 2-0 win over Derry City. Liverpool certainly have the financial muscle to blow Celtic and company out of the water in the race for Bazunu’s signature, although the player may feel some debt to the Scottish club, given that they are paying for his school fees. Intriguingly, Shamrock have just signed a new keeper after Alan Mannus transferred from St Johnstone, which paves the way for the sale of Bazunu this summer. The Irish Independent report it will take a “lucrative” offer to land the teenager, but it is all relative. A six-figure sum is nothing for a club of Liverpool’s wealth and resources. Naturally, Bazunu is one for the future rather than the here and now. He won’t be taking over Loris Karius’ place any time soon. It should still be a priority for Liverpool to land a new senior keeper.
