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Liverpool accepted a surprise £15 million bid from Bournemouth last week, setting into motion the departure of another young player this summer. Now that deal has been completed, as Liverpool confirmed that Jordon Ibe has joined AFC Bournemouth to continue his development in the Premier League.
It is hoped that Ibe can find his confidence and form again under the talented Eddie Howe in a progressive and promising Bournemouth side. The 20-year-old made 58 appearances and scored four goals in Liverpool colours over a period of nearly five years. Billed as the successor to Raheem Sterling—both players share the same birthday and operate in eerily similar positions—Ibe struggled to develop his game beyond head down dribbling last season. The pace, athleticism, attitude, and shooting power in both feet didn't quite translate under Brendan Rodgers or Jürgen Klopp last season.
The fee of £15 million with the other clauses included in the deal make this quite a good deal for Liverpool. In fact, all parties will be satisfied with a transfer that should help each one move forward with their respective goals. Klopp is an excellent judge of talent—especially in young players—ensuring that it becomes difficult to quibble with the decision to let any young player go in the 49-year-old's first summer transfer window. What's more, Klopp has been at the club since early October. Any decision to sell a young player hasn't been made without the necessary observation and consideration.
With Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mané, Adam Lallana, and James Milner all set to feature in the band of three behind the striker and in the absence of European football, opportunities for Ibe would have been thin at best. The ideal scenario is that Ibe becomes the player that his talents suggested over the next couple of seasons before a buy-back clause is exercised to bring him back to Anfield. If he cannot fulfil his talents, however, Liverpool have received a generous fee even factoring in the 15 percent that must be paid to Wycombe Wanderers.