Liverpool started to shift their deadwood this summer.
The Premier League champions looked to rebalance Jurgen Klopp’s squad ahead of the 2020/21 season and it seems they were more focused on outgoings than incomings.
While they did sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich and Diogo Jota from Wolves, along with Konstantinos Tsimikas from Olympiacos, they have allowed no fewer than 12 players to leave, be it on permanent transfers, loans, or frees.
In terms of players who garnered transfer fees, Rhian Brewster moved to Sheffield United, Dejan Lovren went to Zenit St Petersburg and Ovie Ejaria moved to Reading.
Both Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne moved on free transfers and Andy Lonergan was released, while Sheyi Ojo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Loris Karius, Marko Grujic and Ben Woodburn all departed on loan.
And they were joined by Harry Wilson on Friday before the domestic transfer deadline.
Football Insider reports that Cardiff City, the club he has joined, have paid a significant loan fee to secure the Welshman’s signature, beating off competition from the likes of Swansea City, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Bristol City, and Blackburn Rovers.
Cardiff have agreed to pay the entirety of his £60,000-per-week wages, while they have also paid over £1m as the loan fee.
Football Insider claim the full cost of the deal comes to £3.5m, a significant outlay for the Championship club.
Cardiff have not enjoyed a good start to the season in the second-tier, winning just one of their opening four games, but they are said to believe Wilson can play a key role in their bid to win promotion.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This is a huge boost for the Reds.
They have shifted Wilson from their wage bill and also banked a not insignificant loan fee.
This is all the more remarkable when one considers that the 23-year-old has made just two senior appearances for the club.
He did enjoy a good season at Bournemouth last season despite their relegation, as he scored seven goals in 35 outings, but still, this is a great piece of wheeling and dealing from the Reds.
It remains to be seen whether the money will be reinvested in the January transfer window but they know that the option now exists, thanks to Michael Edwards' shrewd negotiations.