The 2017 summer transfer window will officially be opened on July 1 but this has not stopped Premier League clubs from making moves for their key targets. And if you believe the Sun, Liverpool are keen on signing soon-to-be free agent Gael Clichy.
The former-Arsenal star will be out of contract with Manchester City on June 30 and with no talks of a new contract offer from the Citizens, it is safe to assume they no longer require his services. Liverpool seem to be aware of this and are said to be readying a bumper two-year contract for the Frenchman.
Gael Clichy has spent 14 seasons in the Premier League since signing for Arsenal in 2003 as a 17-year-old. He is a quality but ageing player – is he what Liverpool need? The Merseyside club will be playing in the Champions League next season and with this, they have enough power to attract big name players, perhaps not old timers like soon to be 32-year-old Gael Clichy.
No disrespect to Clichy but the fact is, he is not the type of player Liverpool should be aiming at signing if they want to be competing for the Premier League title next season or do well in the Champions League. With Alberto Moreno inconsistent, it is wise that Jurgen Klopp signs another left-back, but one would think they should be after someone like AS Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy instead.
Monaco will certainly be reluctant to sell the 23-year-old Frenchman, but a good offer could force their hand. The French club are expected to lose many of their key players this summer and if Liverpool move fast, they could bring in someone like Mendy or even Djibril Sidibe. Another left-back the Reds could make a move for is Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs. Mendy may be better than Gibbs at the moment and if I was Klopp he would be my first choice, but signing Gibbs is certainly better than signing Gael Clichy in my opinion.
Gibbs has lost his place in Arsene Wenger’s first XI at Arsenal and there have been reports that he could be sold this summer. Although the Luis Suarez saga of years ago could reduce Liverpool’s chances, it is worth a try.
