After Norwich Turned Down Deal, Liverpool Close To Signing New Target As Roberston’s Cover: Report

Liverpool FC reportedly are close to signing Olympiakos left-back Kostas Tsimikas in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Tsimikas was one of Olympiakos’ star performers throughout the season that saw the side clinch their 34th Greek league title before they were eliminated from the Europa League by Premier League club Wolves.

Liverpool speed up the process to sign Tsimikas after their bid for Jamal Lewis was turned down by relegated club Norwich City. While Lewis’ side has demanded $26 million, Liverpool refused to pay more than $13 million for Lewis, who the Premier League champions were considering as a cover for their star defender Andy Robertson.

According to a report in renowned website Sky Sports, Liverpool have been monitoring Tsimikas for a long time. It is understood that Jurgen Klopp believes the 24-year-old Greek player has the potential to develop into one of the best and could come to Anfield for a reasonable price amid the financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sky Sports report has further disclosed that Liverpool have made an official bid of $15 million for Tsimikas, who is expected to fly to the UK soon and undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the club.

The Athens-born player made his senior debut during the 2015-16 season with Olympiakos in a match in the Superleague 1, the highest-ranked soccer league in Greece. He was first loaned to Esbjerg, where he played a total of 13 matches before returning to Olympiakos.

The left-back was then loaned to Dutch soccer club Willem II and that’s where Liverpool first came across the player.

Pedro Chirivella, who played only six times for Liverpool before his contract ran out in June, could have played a part in Tsimikas’s deal with the Anfield side. Liverpool discovered Tsimikas during the 2017-18 season when he was Chirivella’s teammate at Willem II. The Sky Sports report has disclosed that ever since Liverpool have been scouting Tsimikas and their data has suggested that he would fit perfectly as a cover for Robertson.

While Tsimikas soon could become a Liverpool player, Chirivella has signed a contract with French club FC Nantes.