Gary Neville has tipped his hat to Liverpool's transfer window activity, though he admits the club's massive pursuit of Florian Wirtz caught him off guard. The former Manchester United captain believes Liverpool's early business shows impressive intent for the upcoming season.
The Reds have already secured Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi for their development squad. But they're far from finished in the market. Liverpool are closing in on deals for both Wirtz and Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.
The potential Wirtz transfer is making headlines as it could shatter records. At a reported £113 million offer, he would become Liverpool's most expensive signing ever and potentially the priciest player in British football history. Leverkusen values him at £125 million, but the German star appears keen on the Merseyside move.
Liverpool's Early Transfer Advantage
Speaking on the It's Called Soccer podcast, Neville highlighted how winning the league early gave Liverpool a head start in transfer planning. "Liverpool won the league four or five weeks ago, so they can start having their recruitment meetings very early," he explained. "I know all clubs do but to involve your manager while you're going for a Premier League title is quite tough."
Neville didn't hold back his admiration for the potential Wirtz signing. "Wirtz would be a sensational signing. When you're talking about winning the league, the only thing that improves you is signing world-class players or players who have potential to be world-class."
This aggressive approach in the transfer market should put rivals on notice. Liverpool's willingness to strengthen from a position of power suggests they're determined to build a dynasty rather than rest on their laurels. For betting enthusiasts, this early business might justify Liverpool's short odds for defending their title next season.
Surprise at Liverpool's Big Spending
While Neville expected smart business from Liverpool, the size of the Wirtz fee surprised him. "Maybe slightly surprised they've gone so heavy in on Wirtz in terms of the fee, they don't normally go that big," he admitted. Liverpool has typically been more conservative with transfer spending under FSG ownership.
Neville believes new manager Arne Slot deserves the backing after patiently waiting for his opportunity. "He waited 12 months for a player to sign, signed Chiesa for very little money. So I think they have two years of money tanked up and banked up."
The guaranteed Champions League income also plays a factor in Liverpool's spending power. Neville concluded, "Supporting the manager is the right and only thing to do."
If Liverpool completes these three major signings early in the window, they'll be setting themselves up as strong favorites for the 2024/25 campaign. For punters looking at ante-post markets, Liverpool's transfer activity suggests they're building a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts next season.
