The transfer window never ceases to amaze as the fans are treated to some extraordinary stories. It’s a shame they never materialise as many are left wondering what could have happened. Just ask the West Ham faithful who were linked with some world class names but ended up signing Andre Ayew and Jonathan Calleri instead.
With barely a few days left before the window re-opens, expect the extravagant news filling up the mainstream media every day until the deadline day.
Liverpool, who recently sealed their top four place at the expense of Arsenal, are expected to be busy. After managing to qualify for the Champions League (well, almost as they are yet to play the qualifiers), they will target prominent names. One name linked with a move to Merseyside is Iker Casillas according to reports.
Jürgen Klopp’s side attacked with fervour this past season but they still weren’t the best offensive unit. Their season, however, was heavily reliant on the front three rather than their defence which was breached by even the likes of Hull City and Sunderland who went down.
Goalkeeping issues were a big problem in the first half of the season, but after Simon Mignolet was reinstated, he did quite well for the club. Having said that, no one knows if the Belgian will replicate his performances this season or go back to his flappy-nature in dealing with set-pieces.
Casillas is no doubt one hell of a name, but his performances have dipped. Stats indicate he still mustered 23 cleansheets with FC Porto this season, but you’ll need to go deeper than just that to find out if he still has it.
Casillas at his peak could stop a shot from almost any angle. His handling towards his spell at Madrid was patchy, however, and though his distribution is still impeccable, that alone won’t get you anywhere near the first-team in the Premier League.
Keepers tend to get better with age, but it’s a strange one with ‘Saint Iker’ who might actually be opposite to the trend. Loris Karius had a smashing run at Mainz but couldn’t buy a save at Liverpool. He, though, is still young and can learn. Iker, on the other hand, will demand higher wages and a first team berth, which doesn’t seem like it’s possible considering Mignolet’s resurgence.
One of the reasons why he is being linked with Liverpool is because of Champions League football, which Porto can offer as well. He is 36, and it seems like the rumoured move is one just to get people excited prior to the opening of the transfer window.
