Liverpool 'closing in' on £34m signing of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili

Liverpool are reported to be "closing in" on a deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was one of the stars of Euro 2024 as Georgia unexpectedly reached the knockout rounds.

Interest in the 23-year-old emerged earlier this month, with Liverpool exploring a deal that wouldn't result in an immediate move from Spain’s east coast to Merseyside.

Now, The Athletic writes that a deal for Mamardashvili is nearing, with the clubs having discussed a fee in the region of €40m (£34m). As has been the case from the beginning, Liverpool are not seeking to put pressure on current No.1 Alisson Becker and Mamardashvili will initially stay at Valencia.

For the time being, and as part of the proposed deal, Mamardashvili wouldn't arrive at Anfield for a year. It remains to be seen what Liverpool would do at that point in regard to their 2025/26 squad. Alisson would be close to his 33rd birthday and entering the final two years of his contract.

Neither goalkeeper would likely be satisfied with a back-up role.

Chelsea achieved something similar over a decade ago when they signed Thibaut Courtois from Genk in 2011. Rather than compete with Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian moved to Atletico Madrid on loan and wound up staying for three years until permanently replacing Cech in 2014.

Mamardashvili became Valencia's starting goalkeeper midway through the 2021/22 season, yet he rose to much wider international prominence earlier this summer. His Euro 2024 performances against Czechia and Portugal were particularly impressive, helping Georgia successfully navigate the group stage in their first ever major tournament, before bowing out to eventual winners Spain.

Liverpool also still have Caoimhin Kelleher, who was on the bench as the Reds beat Ipswich Town in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday. The Irishman made 26 appearances last season in Alisson's absence through injury, but he will turn 26 in only three months' time and is believed to have aspirations of being a No.1 that look set to go unfulfilled at Anfield.

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