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According to The Times, incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has sanctioned the sale of Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Blues will expect around £50 million to secure the services of the 23-year-old shot stopper. And because the Blues are looking to sell, and the Reds are likely looking to buy, obviously Courtois is going to Anfield. Because reasons.
For months Liverpool have been linked with figuratively (though soon it might be literally) all the goalkeepers. Indeed, this is the second link to an England-based, top-notch goalkeeper today.
Although Reds boss Jürgen Klopp has remained largely silent about the goalkeeping situation since his glowing endorsement of Mignolet back in December, our current Belgian keeper remains a glaring weak spot for the side. As a result, supporters and pundits alike assume that Liverpool will be in the market for a new number 1, despite Mignolet's recent 5-year contract extension.
Regardless of whether Liverpool are in fact looking to sign a new keeper (oh please dear Fowler let us be in for a new keeper), it seems unlikely that FSG would be willing to splash £50 million for one, even if it is for one of such high quality as Courtois. The amount seems especially eye-watering considering the links to all the German-based keepers, none of whom have the Premier League Proven™ tax added on.
In the end, this seems like a pretty absurd, ill-founded rumor, even by absurd, ill-founded rumor standards.