3 hours ago
24
Liverpool set the pace with record-breaking British deals during the summer transfer window.
The Reds splashed out around $600 million, completing the three largest transfers of the summer. Florian Wirtz was signed for £116 million ($157.2 million), Hugo Ekitike could cost up to £79 million ($107.1 million), and Alexander Isak made his way to Merseyside on deadline day for £125 million ($169.4 million).
However, Liverpool managed to recoup half of what it spent through player sales. It all kicked off with the sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid after the end of the Premier League season. Despite the full-back being set to leave on a free transfer in July, the Reds managed to secure a fee for him thanks to the Club World Cup.
FIFA allowed member associations an "exceptional registration window" from June 1 to 10 so that any early deals could be finalized before the tournament's start date on June 16.
Due to Real's participation in the competition, the England international joined the Spanish giants a month early in a deal that could net Liverpool £10 million ($13.6 million).
The "exceptional registration window" in June also encouraged others not even competing in the Club World Cup to wrap up deals well ahead of the new season.
Liverpool capitalized, as it quickly secured a replacement for Alexander-Arnold with the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong. The full-back was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for his release clause of £29.5 million ($40 million).
"It went quite easy," said Frimpong after signing for Liverpool. "Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.
"For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done,’ (speaking to) my agents, ‘Just get this done.’ Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate, and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.
"I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me, and I won’t let you guys down, and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want."
In addition to this, the Reds swiftly completed two more transactions, selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford for £18 million ($24.4 million) and acquiring goalkeeping prospect Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia for a cool £1.5 million ($2 million).
"I don't think it was very difficult for me to leave (Liverpool)," said Kelleher. "I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one, and to play every week.
"I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible."
Nonetheless, with the next Club World Cup not scheduled until 2029, the transfer window is expected to operate as usual next summer - denying Liverpool the chance to repeat this transfer trick.
English (US) ·