Rumour Mongering: Reds Accept Fenerbahce’s Alberto Bid

First, Luis Alberto was meant to head back to the club he began his career at, with reports in Spain that Sevilla were seeking a cut-rate return for their former youth product. The move, though, fell through when the clubs couldn’t come to terms over a fee, with Liverpool wanting to recoup at least most of their initial €8M outlay.

Then, rumour had it Liverpool had changed their mind—they knew they couldn’t recoup their initial outlay and would settle for a fee of €3M. Only this time it was Valencia and not Sevilla rumoured to be doing the buying. Perhaps unsurprisingly, in the end it appears to have been no more than the talk of rumour mongers in Spain.

Now, it’s rumour mongers in Turkey taking their turn at Luis Alberto, with Fotospor claiming he is likely to head to Fenerbahce on loan after the two clubs came to an agreement in principle that would involve an as yet unspecified loan fee being paid for the 23-year-old who impressed on loan last year with Deportivo La Coruna.

With his contract running until 2018, on paper at least a loan fee of a million or more followed next summer by another attempt at a sale would seem to make more sense than selling him this summer to Valencia or Sevilla at an extreme bargain. From that standpoint, at the very least, it’s a rumour that can be made to make some sense.

According to Fotospor, Fenerbahce’s previous experience dealing with Liverpool to bring Lazar Markovic to Turkey on loan played a role in the two sides quickly agreeing a deal. However, their case is undermined at least somewhat by claims that Fenerbahce may not go through with the deal if they can bring in a permanent target.

Still, on paper at least it’s a transfer rumour that would seem to make sense for all parties. The player gets to play for a club that has room for him, Fenerbahce get the number ten they need, and Liverpool make a bit back on Alberto and try again for a permanent transfer next summer. On paper at least, that’s a win-win-win.