Liverpool man 'rejects contract offer' and is now 'set to seal summer exit'

Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian was offered a new year-long contract extension at the end of the season but the 37-year-old Spaniard has rejected the proposal in favor of a return to his homeland.

That is according to local outlet ABC Sevilla, which reports that an agreement is close for Adrian to sign for La Liga side Real Betis, who Liverpool will face in a pre-season friendly in a few weeks. Adrian has made 26 appearances for Liverpool since signing on a free transfer from West Ham United in 2019.

Speaking in the middle of May (via Muchodeporte), Adrian had already confirmed his intention was to return to Spain. "I would like to return to La Liga after 11 seasons in the Premier League," he said. "It would be the end of a cycle. But I’m still ready to compete. I feel very good despite being 37.

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"You know that goalkeepers, if you take good care of yourself, if you haven’t had any serious injuries lately and you’re fine, the daily training gives you that intensity that makes you compete. I think I have a long time left and it’s true that I would like to return to La Liga. It has to be a nice, interesting project.

"I haven’t sat down with Liverpool yet either. I don’t rule out that we could have a conversation, but it is true that we will be looking out of the corner of our eye to see what happens in La Liga."

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Fabian Otte has been announced as the new Liverpool goalkeeping coach after a summer of change in that department. John Achterberg and Jack Robinson have both moved on alongside Jurgen Klopp while second-choice Caoimhin Kelleher has admitted that he might have to leave too if he is to get regular action.

Liverpool.com says: If Adrian wants to play before he retires, a move away from Liverpool is necessary for that to happen. A return to Spain might make sense for him and his family too. The Reds need enough bodies in the goalkeeping department who can be relied upon but realistically, Arne Slot was never going to play Adrian next season. He would be sticking around only for training drills.