LIVERPOOL WANT SPORTING LISBON’S MARTINS

Premier League side Liverpool have decided to begin talks with Sporting Lisbon over the possibility of getting winger Gelson Martins this summer.

The club is seeking an alternative after a few setbacks in their transfer market pursuit this term.

The Merseyside club have reportedly agreed personal terms with target Mohammed Salah but AS Roma are yet to agree to the club’s transfer fee range. Roma want £35 million for the player which does not corresponds with Liverpool’s valuation.

The 22-year old Martins is highly rated in Portugal. Liverpool scouted him all season and they deem him fit for the role. He scored six goals in 32 games but he was more crucial for the team. His release clause if a little less than £50 million even though reports say Sporting could listen to offers in the range of £40 million.

With the player in his prime and possibly many more years to come, Liverpool seem to prefer that option to Salah. The former Chelsea man is 24 years and he played under Jose Mourinho. He was sent on a loan deal to Fiorentina where his nine goals in 26 games attracted Roma’s attention. The Egyptian played a year at Roma before he eventually agreed to join them on a permanent basis for £15 million.

Just like other Premier League stars that exited but returned with many more times mark up, Salah is worth more than two times his cost price. In his first year at the Italian capital, Salah was named the club’s best player. Under Luciano Spalletti, he has received several accolades for his display. He scored 15 goals and made 11 assists in 2016/17.

Salah is pacy, direct and attack minded. He would be a great addition to the counter attacking minded Reds team. Jurgen Klopp would need to spend cash as either option in Salah or Martins cost money.