Rumour Mongering: Reds on Alert as Spartak Signal Promes Availability

Central defender, central midfielder, wide forward. With Mamadou Sakho on his way out the door, Sadio Mané jetting off to the African Cup of Nations in about a month’s time, and Adam Lallana’s recent injury issues exposing a lack of depth in the center of the park, one is hard pressed to suggest where Jürgen Klopp, in his new official recruiting role, should focus his priorities in the upcoming transfer window.

It would appear, however, that the choices are making themselves as the path of least resistance might just be the move for Spartak Moscow’s Quincy Promes that has been popping up in the rumour mill of late. The Russian giants have reportedly signed what would appear to be a replacement for the 24-year old wide man, poaching winger Aleksandr Samedov from rivals Lokomotiv Moscow and essentially preparing for a bid from one of their star player’s Premier League admirers.

The Dutch international is arguably currently the best player in the Russian Premier League, having already bagged six goals and six assists for Spartak so far this term. Young, tenacious, technically-gifted and blessed with pace, Promes would appear a ready-made stopgap for the imperious Mané, while still raw enough to not require a guaranteed starting spot upon the Senegalese dynamo’s return.

With the asking price allegedly in the £25m range, a move will certainly not come cheap, but with Klopp and FSG’s excellent fiscal performance in the last window leading to a positive net spend and with the open spigots of Premier League TV money not looking like slowing down any time soon (or are they?), the nominal figure would be chump change in the most contested race for Champions League spots in years that almost necessitates these sorts of investments.

Brace yourselves, the silliest season of giving swiftly approaches.