Liverpool have reportedly moved to the brink of securing a deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
New head coach Arne Slot has surprisingly failed to welcome a single incoming to Anfield since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.
That did not stop the Merseyside giants from starting the 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, yet it is an open secret that the Dutchman wishes to add to his squad.
In the short term, a new centre-back, central midfielder and attacker are all possibilities, particularly the former with Sepp van den Berg potentially being sold to Brentford.
As far as the long term is concerned, though, Liverpool are seemingly eager to put a deal in place that could theoretically benefit them for years to come.
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Liverpool hoping to seal Mamardashvili transfer
According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool are close to putting terms in place to bring in Mamardashvili.
The Georgia international has been on the club's radar for a number of weeks having starred for his country at Euro 2024 earlier in the summer.
Mamardashvili has previously made it clear that he is not prepared to move to a bigger European club to sit on the substitutes' bench.
As a result, it appears that Liverpool will be agreeing a deal with Valencia with the view of the 23-year-old remaining on loan at the Mestalla.
Liverpool are said to have put forward a proposal that would see them pay £25.6m up-front with a further £4.3m in add-ons.
Although there had been a suggestion that Mamardashvili may move to Bournemouth for the remainder of this campaign, that option now appears to have been taken off the table.
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What now for Liverpool's other goalkeepers?
For the time being, Liverpool have Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher as their two main options for this season.
Nevertheless, Mamardashvili is being signed with the view of him becoming the next Liverpool one, leaving it plausible that both Alisson and Kelleher could move on next summer.
Alisson has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League, whereas Kelleher will have just 12 months left on his contract and have little interest in a renewal if he is to remain as backup.
Darren Plant
