Liverpool told Upamecano and Koulibaly transfers are "out of range"
Liverpool had no chance of signing Dayot Upamecano or Kalidou Koulibaly and had to settle for more realistic transfers in the January window, claims former Reds midfielder Jason McAteer.
The Reds moved to address their centre-back injury crisis on deadline day by signing Ben Davies from Preston North End for £2million and loaning Ozan Kabak from Schalke.
The signings may yet prove inspired but on the surface they are somewhat underwhelming, as Liverpool have been linked with some of the finest centre-backs in Europe over the last year.
These include RB Leipzig star Upamecano and Napoli stalwart Koulibaly, but McAteer insists Liverpool could not afford to bring either player to Anfield.
“The January transfer window is always a tricky period to sign players and clubs like to inflate the price,” the former Republic of Ireland international told Free Super Tips.
“If a club is looking at signing players midway through the season, they’re doing it because they need them, which means there is a premium on the players’ fee.
“Liverpool were desperate for a centre back, which everyone knew about, so the top-level players they would be looking at, aren’t available right now at the price they would want to pay.
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“You have Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly that everyone keeps talking about and they aren’t going to be let go for cheap money.
“RB Leipzig won’t want to sell Upamecano as they’re still in the Champions League, facing Liverpool, they want £50 million for him, Koulibaly is reportedly up for £70million, which is out of range for most clubs right now.
"Everyone throws a few extra million onto a player’s price when they know a club is desperate.”
Will Davies and Kabak make the grade at Liverpool? Have your say in the comments.
Nonetheless, McAteer rubbished claims Liverpool's deadline-day transfers were driven by panic, saying: “Davies has always been on Liverpool’s radar, he’s 25 and has played a lot of football in his career.”
He added: “Kabak is a full Turkish international, having made seven appearances for the first team, he’s good in the air, good at set pieces, and Liverpool now gets the option to get a good look at him to see if they want to buy him in the summer.
“I wouldn’t say Liverpool have panic bought by bringing in two centre backs on deadline day, I believe it’s a good bit of business done by the club.”
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