Liverpool join Man Utd in race for international goalkeeper quickly maturing as MLS regular starter
While they prepare to face off on the pitch on Sunday, Man Utd and Liverpool are also gearing up for a longer-term transfer battle for an MLS goalkeeper, a report has claimed.
Beyond their match on Sunday, both rivals will be thinking about which areas of their squad to address in the summer. One position they both might need to reinforce is in goal. For various reasons, they are considering their options.
In Liverpool’s case, there is no need to change their number one. After all, Alisson Becker remains reliable between the sticks. However, he is standing in the way of Caoimhin Kelleher making a breakthrough.
Backup option Kelleher has now reached an age where it only seems fair for him to head elsewhere to earn more regular gametime. To that end, one observer recently recommended a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
When Kelleher leaves, Liverpool will have a void to fill behind Alisson in the pecking order. In addition to the Irishman, Adrian could leave on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Hence, fresh support will be required for Alisson. And to address it, it seems Liverpool are having a similar idea to one Man Utd have already been considering.
Over at Old Trafford, regular starter David de Gea is approaching the end of his contract. He will probably have to lower his wages as part of any renewal, so his future is uncertain.
Deeper in the squad, deputies Jack Butland and Tom Heaton will reach the end of their commitments to Man Utd in the summer too. Dean Henderson could return after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest, but won’t be happy to sit on the bench.
Therefore, there could be spaces to fill in the goalkeeping departments of either Liverpool or Man Utd. And according to the Daily Mirror, they now both have the same target in mind.
Man Utd and Liverpool linked with Djordje Petrovic
It is claimed that New England Revolution goalie Djordje Petrovic is now on Liverpool’s radar as well as Man Utd’s.
The Serbia international – who has two caps for his country – is a regular starter for his club. Last season, he played 21 times in the MLS, conceding 27 goals along the way.
Under the management of ex-USMNT boss Bruce Arena, he has started the Revolution’s first two games of the new MLS campaign, keeping clean sheets in both. Yet he could return across the Atlantic in the summer.
Over the coming weeks, Man Utd and Liverpool will continue watching the 23-year-old. Then, at the end of the English season, they might make a move for him.
Petrovic is under contract with New England until December 2025, with the option of another year. It is not clear how much it might cost to prise the former Cukaricki man away from the Gillette Stadium.
Whether his destination is Man Utd or Liverpool, he would only likely be a backup. He must therefore weigh up whether the move would be worth it.
But playing for a club of either’s stature would give him a good chance to learn and develop. After all, he is still fairly young for a goalkeeper.
Hence, Petrovic can afford to be patient, which may make a move to one of the world’s biggest clubs appealing.
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