Liverpool Turn On Super Transfer Business Mode

Straight out of the gate, let’s all take a deep breath and enjoy it. We had a day, us. It was a day smeared with Liverpool. The twists and turns. The anxiety. The relief. The staring blankly into the unknown. It’s all there, stained across our faces.

It began with reports that Arsenal’s want-away midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a solid option for the club if a deal couldn’t be reached with AS Monaco for Thomas Lemar. There were grumblings. But soon after we learned that Liverpool’s people we’re still in or on their way to France as well as opening/continuing discussions with Arsenal. Could it be both?

Why not both? As of now, we’re on the other side of an Oxlade-Chamberlain signing. That’s done. He’s a Red. A £35million acquisition of a player looking to energize his career by hooking up with the most interesting game in town. Liverpool should announce the signing in the morning local time.

But the chase for Thomas Lemar is still on.

Liverpool’s doctors without orders are now on standby, awaiting instructions on if and when to get out the charts and tongue depressors. Waiting to get their hands on Lemar’s medical transcripts and make some serious analytical chit chat about it. Of course, time is of the essence.

Not only is the transfer window closing but Lemar is set to feature in France’s World Cup qualifier against The Netherlands tomorrow evening. So, his availability for a medical diminishes as the clock ticks on towards sundown in Paris.

Liverpool initially dropped in with a £70million bid for the French midfielder. Monaco countered with £92million. These are big numbers. And we’re left waiting to discover if FSG are prepared to go beyond their evaluations and hand over some big numbers for a player who will help Liverpool win all the things. Fingers, toes, cross ‘em if you got ‘em.

And do the same for Virgil van Dijk, who Liverpool are obviously still holding out hope for. As is the player himself for a move to Merseyside. I don’t know how this doesn’t get done. Anyway you look at it, a center back is needed. And it doesn’t appear that other targets are out there. Sure, surprise me. But, it’s looking more and more like Van Dijk or bust and that gives me the ‘ol uncomfortable feelings inside.

Hiding under all of today’s recruitment glee were reports of a loan option for Divock Origi this season. One such piece placed Origi in the Lemar deal as a make-weight. But more solid accounts were showing that Wolfsburg have been eyeing the Belgian striker and that they are prepared to pay Liverpool a £6million fee to get him for the year.

Origi needs the playing time. And Daniel Sturridge is looking like he’s starting to look like looking like doing the business. So, looks like he’s working his way up the depth chart. And with Dominic Solanke around, it’s going to be tough for young Divock to get a rhythm going. Could be a good move for him and a nice bit of coin in our pocket to boot.

Nothing concrete on either Mamadou Sakho or Lazar Markovic but those two departures should come around at some point before tomorrow’s window shuts.

Stay with us here throughout deadline day for all the bips, baps, and booms. Bring a friend. Bring cake. No, bring pie. You know what, surprise me.