Liverpool Recruits Goalkeeper Mamardashvili From Valencia, Chiesa Becomes Next Target

Liverpool recruited Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. But Mamardashvili just joined Liverpool next season. (valenciacf.com)

JAKARTA - Liverpool have successfully recruited Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili even though they will only join next season. After attracting Mamardashvili, Liverpool then made Juventus forward Federico Chiesa their next target.

Liverpool have finally reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Mamardashvili who brought Georgia to the last 16 of Euro 2024. Liverpool have actually been eyeing the 23-year-old goalkeeper while still competing in the European Cup. Mamardashvili's brilliant performance made Liverpool interested in recruiting him. He is projected to replace goalkeeper Alisson Becker whose contract expires in two years.

Alisson himself has been targeted by the Saudi Arabian club. Only the Brazilian national team goalkeeper rejected the offer which was actually very tempting. But it did not rule out the possibility of Alisson playing in the Saudi Arabian Pro League before his contract period at Liverpool expired.

For the purchase of Mamardashvili, Liverpool had to spend 30 million euros. This is still plus a bonus based on the appearance of players of 5 million euros. Thus, Mamardashvili's transfer could reach 35 million euros or approximately 602 billion rupiah.

Only the goalkeeper who has played 102 times with Valencia did not immediately join Liverpool. He continued to play in Los Che until the end of the La Liga Spanish competition. Mamardashvili will only move to Anfield to play in the English Premier League in the 2025/2026 season.

"Liverpool has reached an agreement for the transfer of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is currently finalizing his work permit. The Valencia goalkeeper will move to Anfield in the 2025/2026 season," Liverpool said in an official statement.

"The Reds confirmed the 23-year-old goalkeeper remains in Spain and plays at Los Che before moving to Merseyside next season," he explained.

Liverpool's first recruitment and for the goalkeeper's position has Alisson's support. According to him Liverpool's move to bring in goalkeepers is part of the team's draft next season. The reason is that the 31-year-old goalkeeper stated that he will not linger at Liverpool which he has strengthened since 2018.

"In my opinion, the club does have to prepare for the future. We will not be here forever," said Alisson.

"This is also the right step [recruiting Mamardashvili]. I already knew about it before the information circulated on social media. I've also thought about it. And it turns out that the club is also thinking about it," he said again.

After attracting Mamardashvili, Liverpool took aim at Chiesa. Juventus intends to release winger aged 26. Moreover, coach Thiago Motta stated that Chiesa is no longer in the team design. This Italian national team player has no future in the Bianconeri even though his contract is still two years away.

Chiesa is actually a potential winger that Juve recruited from Fiorentina in 2022. However, the ACL injury made the son of the former Italian striker Enrico Chiesa sidelined for a long time. His performance is no longer optimal as before.

However, Chiesa is recorded to have played 131 with La Vecchia calma. He has scored 34 goals and made 25 assists. In the national team, Chiesa played 51 times and scored seven goals.

Liverpool have shown their seriousness in bringing Chiesa and are ready to give a four-year contract. On the other hand, Juve intends to immediately release their players. Otherwise, the price of Chiesa is decreasing. This Italian Serie A club itself has set a price of 15 million euros.