Sources: Four Liverpool first-team stars to now leave, wage bill transformed
Liverpool plan to balance their wage bill by letting four first-team stars leave this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are all set to depart Anfield at the end of the season.
The Reds are planning a midfield overhaul this summer and are hopeful that the wages saved by the four stars can be used to lure new signings to the club.
The Athletic report that Liverpool’s wage bill for the 2021/22 season rose 17 per cent to £366million – a figure the club are hoping to slash through sales and exits.
All four players mentioned are set to have their contracts expire this summer, meaning they are free to leave the club on free transfers.
Milner is expected to swap Liverpool for the south coast, with Football Insider sources revealing on Friday (5 May) that Brighton have reached a verbal agreement to sign Milner.
Firmino’s exit in the summer had already been announced by Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, with the Brazilian offered a ‘huge’ deal by Barcelona according to this site’s sources.
With Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita leaving, and Arthur’s loan deal set to end, Liverpool’s midfield department is set to be significantly thinned this summer.
It is understood that all focus behind the scenes at Anfield has now been turned towards making three midfield signings this summer to freshen up the squad and replace outgoing players.
In other news, Liverpool make fast move to sign Mac Allister – also working on second marquee signing