Brad Smith is set to move from Liverpool to Bournemouth.
West Brom’s Darren Fletcher and Liverpool’s Brad Smith
Brad Smith has left Liverpool’s pre-season tour as he closes in on a transfer to Bournemouth, report The Mail.
Smith has flown back to England to undergo a medical with the Cherries, with the paper reporting he is due to land at Heathrow Airport before heading to the south coast club.
Liverpool’s Brad Smith and West Brom’s Jonathan Leko in action
Bournemouth will pay £6 million for the defender, who impressed for the Liverpool first team in his limited appearances – although Jurgen Klopp is evidently not convinced.
Yet Liverpool still hold some hope that Smith will realise his potential, with The Mail reporting they are insisting on having a buy-back clause in his Bournemouth contract, as part of conditions for a sale.
Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe celebrates scoring their first goal
The 22-year-old’s best years are ahead of him, and the agreement echoes the recent sale of Jordon Ibe to Bournemouth.
The Telegraph report Liverpool have a buy back option for Ibe, which can be activated if he goes on to fulfil his potential.
Clearly Liverpool feel both Ibe and Smith have talent, but that neither were going to progress at Anfield. Both players need first team games, but Jurgen Klopp was not able to offer this on a regular basis.
As a result the fairest decision is to move them on, but retaining the right to bring them back is a canny move which could pay dividends later down the line.
England’s Andros Townsend in action with Australia’s Brad Smith
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