Like many transfer negotiations, something that looks like a done-deal becomes a bit more questionable a week later, but in the case of Liverpool and Sevilla, haggling over the price for Luis Alberto, an agreement will be reached pretty soon.
Liverpool have been trying to complete the signing of the 20 year-old left winger for a few weeks now, and while already agreeing the personal terms with the player, things are a little more difficult with the club itself.
Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo Monchi appeared on Spanish television to talk about the situation of Alberto’s impending departure among other things, and from his words, it seems like the difference between what Liverpool are offering and what Sevilla are asking for isn’t too great.
There is interest from Liverpool, we will not deny it’s real. The player got a big offer, but nothing has been signed. The first bid we have received from Liverpool for Luis Alberto was very good, but we didn’t accept it.
According to reports from Spain, a €9.5 million offer will be enough to seal the deal, and Liverpool offered something slightly under that estimation, as it seems Rodgers is trying to get his hands on any young, talented and relatively cheap winger in Europe.
Alberto spent last season on loan at Barcelona B, finishing the season with 11 goals and 18 assists. Alberto has already appeared a few times (7 matches) for the senior Sevilla side, but has spent most of his career playing for reserve teams, although the Barca B side is usually as strong as most Segunda Division teams, and might even be good enough to find itself promoted to the La Liga during some seasons if there weren’t any rules against such a thing.
Alberto has appeared once with the U-21 side, but wasn’t called up for the European Championship in Israel.