Alisson expected to sign record deal
LONDON: Brazilian international Alisson is expected to sign for Liverpool on a five-year deal worth 75 million euros, a world record for a goalkeeper.
The 25-year-old, who currently plays for Roma in Italy, is cutting short his vacation to undergo a medical on Merseyside after being given permission to talk to Liverpool. “An official announcement should follow in the next 24 to 48 hours,” claimed the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday. The deal will cost the Anfield giants 75 millions euros, smashing the amount paid to Benfica by Manchester City for Alisson’s compatriot Ederson last summer. Liverpool are desperate to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Loris Karius following his calamitous Champions League final performance.
Chelsea have also been linked with Alisson who began his career with Internacional before moving to Roma two years ago.
Italian website Forza Roma, affiliated to newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport, published a video which it said showed Alisson at Rome’s Ciampino airport. Alisson spoke in the video, saying: “Greetings to Roma fans. I’m sorry but I cannot say any more, I’ll say everything later.”
“The player’s there undergoing a medical and, if he passes that, the deal could go through,” Roma director Monchi later told reporters.
“It’s hard when you’re a sporting director. We received a significant offer for Alisson and we evaluated it.
“In the end, we took a decision and, speaking with Liverpool, we reached an agreement. It’s not that we lack ambition. We’ve only sold two players and we’ve signed 10, and we’re going to continue looking for players.”