Liverpool has done as much transfer business as anyone else in the Premier League so far, with Declan Rice and Mason Mount the subject of big-money offers this week.
While Liverpool fans wait to see who will follow Alexis Mac Allister through the door at Anfield this summer, some movement has been made across the rest of the Premier League.
Bids have been submitted for the likes of Mason Mount (by Manchester United) and Declan Rice (by Arsenal) this week, while plenty more action is expected at Chelsea and the various other clubs. The Times reports that Manchester United has walked away from a deal for Mount because the price has got too high, but that it will focus instead on $102m (£80m/€93m)-rated Moisés Caicedo.
Big money is going to be spent, but there is still going to be a big issue next season regardless of who buys who and who spends what: there are only going to be four guaranteed Champions League spots (and possibly a fifth with the expanded competition.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle — last season’s top four — will be chased by Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and possibly others including Brighton. There are simply more sides in the race for the Champions League than there are spots — and no amount of transfer investment will change that.
It means that for at least a couple of teams who spend mega money this summer, there will be disappointment next season. Someone has to miss out and that will be the case even if every club spends big and spends wisely.
It begs a question about the money being spent at clubs like Arsenal, for instance. Mikel Arteta’s side wants to take the next step having improved more than most expected last season, but will Rice at more than $100m prove value for money?
What about Kai Havertz, who is set to arrive for around $83m (£65m/€75m) according to The Mirror despite having failed to impress so far at Chelsea? Both are talents, but neither, crucially, are game-changers.
The same can be said for Mount, who Manchester United was leading the race for. Chelsea, The Athletic reports, wants $76m (£60m/€70m) with $6.4m (£5.0m/€5.8m) in add-ons for the 24-year-old.
While he is an excellent player, Manchester United would not become a title contender with him in the side and would not dramatically improve for his signing. Despite that, and while knowing Chelsea was reluctant to sell to a rival, it has pursued a deal.
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