Photo courtesy of Polo metz (Wikimedia commons)
Glowing scout reports have fallen in Brendan Rodgers lap of late, recommending that Barry Hunter has seen enough of Luis Alberto to convince Rodgers and the selection committee that he would be a valuable addition to the squad.
Alberto’s imminent arrival would no doubt sound the death knell for Stewart Downing and certainly sound it for Oussama Assaidi, who has only been seen at Anfield sporadically and has bought nothing to the team except to make Downing look like Diego Maradona.
Rodgers, and Liverpool for that matter, have obviously learned from the mistakes of the past when previous regimes have dithered and failed to get their transfer business and contracts signed quickly. Rodgers has moved surprisingly quick to sign Alberto possibly due to the forward’s burgeoning reputation as a finisher, and the fact the he’s still only 20-years old.
Either way, it would seem to shrewd business on Liverpool’s part.
The fee is reported at being only £5 million and possibly rising to £8 million depending on performances and appearances. Should Alberto live up to his reputation, this would be a bargain.
Barcelona have apparently not exercised a clause in Alberto’s contract that gives them first option on the player; however, the deadline for this option was on Friday, so there is no more time for the Catalan giants to scupper the deal. Liverpool fans will no doubt be watching this one very closely.
James Hilton is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , “like” his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google+
