Liverpool target and AS Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker is reportedly willing to wait for European champions Real Madrid to come calling.
Liverpool could have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of AS Roma shot-stopper Alisson Becker as the Brazilian is interested in moving to Real Madrid and is prepared to wait for Los Blancos to make an approach, as per a report from Spanish outlet Marca.
The 25-year old had a sensational 2017-18 campaign with the Giallorossi during which he played an integral role in the club’s third-place finish in the Serie A and the semi-final run in the UEFA Champions League, where they were narrowly ousted by Liverpool. Alisson appeared 49 times across all competitions for Roma and managed to keep 22 clean sheets in the process.
Currently preparing for the summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, he has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool for quite a long time now. And the speculations have only intensified post the Champions League final, which the Reds lost 3-0 to Real Madrid thanks to some costly errors from their first-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The German had been a reliable presence between the sticks for the second half of the season, having been reinstated as the No. 1 ahead of Simon Mignolet. But, his horror show in the final in Kiev has left manager Jurgen Klopp seeking reinforcements in the goalkeeping department, with Alisson understood to be the top target.
It is understood that the Merseysiders spoke with the custodian’s representatives this past weekend, when he was at Anfield with the Brazil international team for a friendly against Croatia. However, Alisson is reportedly leaning towards a move to Real Madrid and wants to wait for Los Blancos to come in with an offer.
Real Madrid lifted the Champions League trophy for the third year in a row, beating Liverpool in the final, post which Zinedine Zidane resigned from the managerial post. It is understood that the Frenchman wasn’t keen on adding a new keeper to the squad as he was more than satisfied with current first-choice Keylor Navas, who once again had a solid season between the sticks for the Merengues.
But with Zidane having left, the coast is now clear for Real Madrid to bring in a new shot-stopper as per the wishes of club supremo Florentino Perez. However, things seem a bit complicated at the moment though, with the Spanish capital outfit currently busy on the lookout for a new manager, which would mean any new signings would have to wait.
While Alisson prefers a move to Real Madrid, it is understood that he also wants the transfer situation sorted out before the World Cup kicks off in Russia and with Los Blancos currently occupied with the pursuit of a new manager, Liverpool could have a window of opportunity to sneak in and sign him up.
