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Liverpool have in recent years seemingly attempted to emulate Chelsea's model of buying and subsequently loaning out talented youngsters, sometimes for several years, the idea being that the players will either develop into quality starters already being contracted to the English side, or if not, at least fetch a profit in the market. Among a number of forgotten talents, this approach has netted Chelsea stars like Thibaut Courtois and millions in transfer fees for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, whereas for Liverpool it has mainly led to Tiago Ilori and Luis Alberto. So far at least.
Current first team players like Jordon Ibe and Divock Origi are also products of this idea, though, and while the jury is still out on whether either will be successes, the early signs are promising. Consequently, the LFC brass seem happy with the concept, and according to local paper Diario de Sevilla, the club are looking to tie up a buy-and-loan-back deal for Real Betis starlet Dani Ceballos, similar to the one they made for Divock Origi last summer. The young attacking midfielder supposedly has a €12m release clause, but with only a year left on his contract, and with Betis getting to keep him in the coming year, could be available to Liverpool at a cut-price. A yearly wage packet of €1.5m along with performance bonuses, car, and a house is thought to have been offered to the youngster.
Ceballos made 24 starts and had 9 sub appearances for Los Verdiblancos in their successful bid for promotion from the Segunda last year, and contributed 5 goals and 5 assists over the course of the season. He then went on to win the Under-19 European Championship with Spain. He is an archetypal Spanish AM who can play right or central in attacking midfield, has tricky feet and a great eye for a pass.
There are still obstacles to be cleared before Ceballos can call himself a Liverpool player, with Betis manager Pepe Mel and technical director Eduardo Macia, who spent 4 years as chief scout at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez, denying the player is for sale. There is also the reported interest of CL participants AS Roma to contend with. And, of course, one can question the wisdom of Liverpool stacking AMs on top of AMs while getting rid of most of its defensive talent. But such is the flimsy reality of the transfer window. So, enjoy a compilation and keep your hands inside the ride at all times.
