The next transfer window will be something different. The coronavirus pandemic has hit football hard, and even clubs at the top of the game are affected.
Liverpool might be Premier League champions in-waiting with a 25-point lead at the top of the table, but their transfer plans have seemingly been hit by the global events of the last few months.
The Anfield club had been hopeful of signing Timo Werner, only for Chelsea to nip in and all but secure a deal for the German international, who has a £53million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.
In fact, recent reports claim Liverpool won’t even be able to afford Ousmane Dembele on loan from Barcelona.
Arsenal are one of the clubs who could benefit from this transfer market stance.
Mikel Arteta is charged with overhauling the Gunners’ squad this summer and might now stand a better chance of luring his top targets to north London with one less Premier League big hitter in the marketplace.
Dembele is just one of the players who might now be interested in a switch to the Emirates, now that an escape route to Merseyside appears to be closed off.
The Gunners have previously lodged their interest in the French winger, but were priced out of a move last summer. Now, though, Barcelona seem determined to push Dembele out of the Camp Nou.
Not so long ago, it was claimed Liverpool had made Dayot Upamecano one of their top targets for the summer window, with the French defender impressing for RB Leipzig this season. Arsenal have also been linked, and he is certainly a player who would improve Arteta’s defensive options.
Competition to sign Upamecano might still be stiff, with both Manchester City and Manchester United believed to be monitoring the 21-year-old, but a £53million release clause in the defender’s contract would seemingly make a deal more achievable for the Gunners.
Bild reports that RB Leipzig might accept a lower fee to avoid losing Upamecano for free in 2021, when his contract expires.
“Upa is an extremely important player for us and one of the most sought after talents in this position in Europe,” RB Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff said.
“One thing we know is that we have a very clear understanding, with him and his adviser, that we will not let him go free. We cannot afford that as a club.
“So there are two options: extend or change. I am absolutely certain that we will know relatively quickly which direction we are going.”
Most recently, Thomas Partey has risen to the top of the transfer gossip columns with regards to Arsenal.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder has had an excellent season, and his £45million buyout clause has attracted the attention of a number of clubs across Europe, including Liverpool.
A report in the Sun claimed the Reds could swap Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Thomas, with Atletico Madrid keen to make the deal happen.
A swap or even part-exchange transfer could see Liverpool come up with the funds for the player, but the Spanish club would surely prefer straight cash for the Ghanian, and this is where Arsenal could steal a march on their Premier League rivals.
This summer could be the most significant in Arsenal’s recent history, so the absence of just one top six Premier League club from the transfer market could have an influence on what deals they can do.
The Gunners should make the most of Liverpool having their noses pressed against the shop window for once.
