Barcelona's first-choice transfer target emerges after links to Liverpool's Alisson Becker
Liverpool was never going to want to lose Alisson Becker any time soon and the Brazilian has since outlined his desire to remain at Anfield under Arne Slot.
"I am committed to this club 100 percent and that involves being part of the leadership group," Alisson, who turned down a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer, has told the BBC ahead of returning from injury to face Wolves this weekend. "We have a lot of young players, new players coming in, a completely new staff.
"When we changed, not everything was going wrong. The challenge for us was to keep the good things, pass these things to the staff and the players coming in, and embrace the good stuff that the new staff are bringing."
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Last week, the Liverpool goalkeeper was linked with a move to Barcelona. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen set to be missing for months through a long-term injury, the Spanish outlet Fichajes claimed that Alisson was on a three-man shortlist for Hansi Flick.
Alongside AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Manchester City's Stefan Ortega, Liverpool’s Alisson was also touted with a move to the Camp Nou. Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia in the summer and he will arrive in 2025, but there is no suggestion that the Brazilian will leave.
Now, according to ESPN, former Arsenal shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny has begun talks with Barcelona over coming out of retirement to sign for the club as a free agent. That makes much more sense given he is currently without a club and could therefore become available for the Catalan side to sign immediately.
Flick was asked recently about a potential move for the Pole but was giving nothing away. "I only speak about players we have in the club," the German said. "We have a clean sheet today and we are all happy about that. We have three points more. That is what counts."
Liverpool.com says: Alisson moving to Barcelona was never going to make sense. He is the best in the world but the Camp Nou outfit couldn't afford to buy him even if the transfer window was open. Only a free agent can be signed right now as emergency cover.