According to the Daily Star, a clause negotiated by Michael Edwards which meant that Barcelona had to pay an £89 million surplus to buy players from Liverpool has now expired.
The Liverpool transfer guru negotiated the clause between the two clubs when Barcelona were desperately trying to land Philippe Coutinho back in 2018.
The Spanish giants eventually signed the Brazilian for £145 million.
However, in order to avoid a similar raid from the Spaniards, Edwards demanded they pay an additional £89 million premium if they planned to sign another Liverpool player – on top of what the Reds valued that man at.
Now, however, this premium clause has expired, meaning that ex-Everton boss Ronald Koeman could come in for someone such as Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino without worrying about the £89 million surplus.
Of course, it feels unlikely that Liverpool will be raided again for a few years, given the power shift across Europe since Coutinho left.
When he departed, the Reds hadn’t won anything under Jurgen Klopp.
As we sit here now, Liverpool have become champions of Europe, England and the world under the German, which should attract players rather than push them away.
Having said that, the Merseysiders are now in a more vulnerable position than they were due to the expiration of the clause.
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