Speaking to ESPN, Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has urged the Reds to complete a deal for Dayot Upamecano next summer.
The pundit was speaking about a number of rumoured transfers from across Europe, and eventually, the subject of Upamecano’s links to Liverpool was brought up.
The Reds have been linked with a number of centre-backs in recent weeks after injuries to Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, and Nicol believes that Upamecano is the one they should be going for.
“The important thing here I think is his buy-out clause which I believe is around €50 million, and in today’s market, that sounds like a good price to me for a 21-year-old who in my opinion in maybe four or five years could be top of the tree in his position.
“I would suggest if I were Liverpool I would go and get him, I hope they do get him, I think the fact that he signed a new deal would suggest that he doesn’t want to go anywhere, but then again, maybe that lure of Liverpool could be the thing that changes his mind.
“So, I hope it happens, I’m not sure it’s going to happen, but at €50 million, this would be a superb buy.”
Nicol is a little wide of the mark when it comes to the French centre-back’s release clause as it’s reportedly closter to €42 million (£38 million), which makes this deal even more of a bargain.
Unfortunately, that release clause doesn’t come into effect until next summer, so the Frenchman won’t be available for that fee in January, but as we’ve said before, the Reds could jump the queue by offering more for him in the winter window.
What happens with Upamecano remains to be seen, but somebody will benefit from his cheap release clause next summer, and Nicol clearly wants it to be Liverpool.
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