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With Brazil dropping out of Copa America after their disappointing loss to Paraguay at Copa America, it's likely that the deal to secure Roberto Firmino's transfer from Hoffenheim will be finalized quickly. That will entail him securing a work permit, which the FA has already stated will happen, and the passage of a medical. Both should be a formality, but they likely won't take place until after another summer signing, Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne, goes through the motions to seal his transfer.
The Liverpool Echo are reporting that Clyne will have his medical on Monday, with the signing likely to be announced by the club when the transfer window officially opens on Wednesday. Liverpool and Southampton finally agreed on a deal that will be worth £12.5m when it's all said and done, which is an excellent fee for a player who was among the Premier League's best fullbacks last season. A tidy profit made for the Saints, who spent just a quarter of that fee on Cedric Soares from Sporting CP, and a reasonable fee paid by Liverpool for a player who should have a starting role at right-back locked down for at least the next five years, which is the length of the contract he's set to sign.
As others have noted, this was an area of need that the club had to address this summer, and Clyne's name consistently came up as an ideal candidate to fill the role. He's got everything needed to remain at a high level over the course of his Liverpool career, and hopefully his arrival will usher in a new era for Liverpool's defense. Along with Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, and, at least for another season or two, Martin Skrtel, Clyne should be a regular starter as part of a more settled defensive contingent.
Clyen will be the sixth confirmed signing of the summer for Liverpool, who previously announced deals for Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, and Joe Gomez. Their search for a striker continues, with Carlos Bacca ruled out and the club reportedly content to wait for Christian Benteke. At any rate, Clyne is part of a solid group of incoming transfers, and one who will undoubtedly make Liverpool better.
