Liverpool still boast the best bargain of the transfer window despite one rival striking a fantastic deal at the deadline. Federico Chiesa can be something special.
Liverpool aren’t the only title-chaser to secure a proper bargain at the end of the transfer window. Arsenal picked up Raheem Sterling from Chelsea for what can only be called a steal.
Chelsea essentially froze the player out, handing his squad number to Pedro Neto and making it clear they wanted Sterling gone. However, that only works if someone is willing to buy him.
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While teams certainly would have signed Sterling, his wages were always going to be an obstacle. It meant Chelsea were fighting to get him off the books – and they finally managed it at the deadline.
Only, they paid a price. Arsenal have signed Sterling on loan for the campaign and without a loan fee. Even more remarkable is the fact they’re paying ‘significantly’ less than half his wages (per the Athletic).
It’s an absolute steal for a player who scored eight Premier League goals last season and has worked with Mikel Arteta before. Which makes you wonder – should Liverpool have tried?
After all, they were in the market for a winger and Sterling has played for the Reds before. We believe, though, that they found an even bigger bargain.
Federico Chiesa vs Raheem Sterling
Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa late in the window in what we believe was a sensational moneyball-style deal. The Reds have paid just £13m all-in for the Italian – a steal if he returns to his best form.
It is dependent on that, admittedly. Chiesa’s ACL injury a few years ago robbed him of incredible momentum but Liverpool plainly believe he can recapture that form.
Again if he does, Liverpool have another star, signed for under half of what they sold Fabio Carvalho for. Not just another star, either, but one who could ultimately replace Mohamed Salah.
Replacing Salah is a nightmare task but one that may have been sorted on the cheap. That was an unthinkable achievement but Liverpool may have done it.
In the short-term, Sterling is undoubtedly the bargain of the window. An experienced Premier League player who carries virtually no risk in this campaign. Arsenal’s ‘problem’ is that signing him permanently in a year may be a pricey operation.
For Liverpool, there’s a lot of risk in Chiesa and it may not pay off. The long-term potential is enormous, though, if the club have got this one right – and it will make £13m look like nothing.
That’s why we still believe this was the biggest bargain of the window. We’ll back the club that they’ve got it right and secured themselves the kind of long-term option you’re not supposed to find in that price bracket.
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