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Brendan Rodgers doesn’t like to talk about transfer rumors, even if those rumors are being reported by reliable sources and everybody thinks they're done deals. He just doesn’t like to speculate, you know, like other clubs in the world might tend to when they're batting their eyelashes at potential transfer targets. Other clubs like, say, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"I could sit here for an hour if we spoke about every player that has supposedly been in for a medical and is signing with Liverpool," Rodgers said when asked about possible deals for Loic Remy and Javier Manquillo. "I read different names every day, so until they’re signed and have agreed to come in [I won't talk about them]. I certainly won’t talk about speculation on any player until they’ve signed."
According to widespread reports, Remy’s £8.5 million move from QPR has all but been completed and will be announced later today, but Rodgers and the club aren't willing to say whether the 27-year-old's signing is imminent or whether he has undergone a medical. Reports suggest that the deal is done, though, and that the player has agreed an £80k a week contract.
Further reports suggest that in addition to Remy's deal being done, Liverpool are putting the finishing touches on right back Javier Manquillo's move from Athletic Madrid. Divock Origi is reportedly due into Boston this week, too. The 19-year-old Belgian showed well at this summer’s World Cup, but any deal will have him heading back to Lille on a season-long loan for the guaranteed playing time.
One player who does not appear to be going anywhere right now is Fabio Borini, as despite Sunderland's interest, Borini has decided to fight for his place at Liverpool instead of making a move this summer. However, no matter where his future lies, the former Roma forward suffered a setback last night, injuring his shoulder in the 12th minute of Liverpool’s pre-season game against his former club at Fenway Park.
"At this moment in time we have had an offer from Sunderland for Fabio," Rodgers told the media yesterday. "He’s obviously considering that offer but until the moment [he decides whether to accept it] he’s travelling with us here and he will be involved in the games.
"Fabio naturally did very well at Sunderland last year, but he’s come back and the plan was to see out preseason here, but we’ll see what happens with it. At this moment in time he is still a Liverpool player and we will review it over the course of the next number of weeks."
Though initial reports are of a bruised shoulder that shouldn't keep him out for very long, any complications could throw a potential transfer into doubt were Borini to reconsider heading elsewhere for the sake of his career. There's a metaphor in there, somewhere, for the Italian’s time with Liverpool.
