Liverpool is tantalizingly close to making the first incoming signing of the Arne Slot era. The valuation gap with Valencia over Giorgi Mamardashvili is now small, but the goalkeeper has been given a frank ultimatum when it comes to sealing the move.
The caveat is that even if Liverpool does secure the deal, Mamardashvili will not be coming to Anfield until 2025, potentially still leaving Slot to compete in his first Premier League season without any additions to the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp. It's thought that the Reds could pursue other deals in the short time left in the transfer window, but no concrete names have emerged.
In Mamardashvili's case, the delay would make sense, even if it would make for a somewhat underwhelming first signing of a new reign. Liverpool still has Alisson on the books, and he remains one of the very best around, while Caoimhin Kelleher has not secured an exit yet either.
Bournemouth, the former club of sporting director Richard Hughes, has been lined up as a possible loan destination for Mamardashvili this season. It has been unusually involved in the discussions surrounding the deal — seemingly because Premier League regulations do not allow clubs to sign foreign players only to immediately loan them elsewhere in the division, so the Cherries would presumably have to loan the 23-year-old from Valencia, on the understanding he would be bound for Anfield the following season.
But while the specific terms of the somewhat-convoluted deal do make sense in order to secure one of the game's brightest goalkeeping prospects, Liverpool still needs to strike a final accord with Valencia. And Mamardashvili has been told in simple terms what needs to happen.
Peter Lim, owner at Valencia and erstwhile co-owner of Salford City alongside Gary Neville and others, will "not budge" from his $44m (£34m/€40m) valuation, which has been in place all summer. That's according to Spanish outlet Gols Media.
The total package being proposed by Liverpool has now reached around $39m (£30m/€35m), including the loan fee payable by Bournemouth for the current campaign. But Lim has no intention of compromising, and has told Mamardashvili and his representatives that the Reds must pay up or else he will be staying at Valencia until at least January.
Of course, this ultimatum is of little use to Mamardashvili, with the matter now out of his hands. It's up to Liverpool to decide whether it is willing to meet the asking price — if not, even the asterisked first transfer of the Slot era might need to be shelved.
