Alisson Becker has apparently been close to agreeing a move to Juventus.
With a deal broadly settled between the player and the Serie A giants all that was missing was an accord between the clubs.
It has been reported that Juve were looking to avoid paying a fee for the goalkeeper considering they would have to make a hefty outlay on salary.
Italian media suggests Luciano Spalletti’s side were lining up a 2 + 1 deal for the 33-year-old - with a two-year contract guaranteed with another one included as an option.
That would be an enticing prospect for the Brazil No1 given his age and he has been reported to be intrigued by a return to Serie A.
But now a new twist has emerged courtesy of a report in TEAMtalk - which could see Alisson REMAIN at Anfield for the long term.
His current deal is due to expire in 2027 - after Richard Hughes triggered a one-year option. And it’s now been claimed that Alisson would be prepared to turn his back on a Juventus deal on one condition.
The shotstopper would stay at Anfield if the club were willing to offer him a similar long-term deal to the one on offer in Turin.
“The 33-year-old could still consider remaining at Liverpool if the Reds present him with a comparable long-term offer and assurances over his status moving forward,” the report reads.
Alisson has been injured once again of late - his third significant absence of the season. He misses far too many matches for a goalkeeper - leading to succession plans taking place inside the corridors of power.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has been signed for an initial £24m but currently does not look capable of matching Alisson’s performances in goal.
Therefore it might be tempting for Richard Hughes and Arne Slot to persist with Alisson - fitness concerns notwithstanding - for another couple of seasons beyond this one.
Alisson is reported to be making anything from £150k per week to £210k per week - meaning a deal for the Champions League-winning goalkeeper won’t come cheap.
So the ball is firmly in Liverpool’s court - accept that Alisson will be leaving for Juventus this summer and get him off the wage bill or else come to an agreement and permit him to keep watch in the Anfield goal long into the future.
