Rhian Brewster Reportedly Nearing £25M Crystal Palace Transfer

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A deal of around £25M with a buyback option is expected, though as yet no bid has been made.

After the arrivals of Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota, there were always going to be outgoings. There had to be. Liverpool’s squad, as it stands, is simply too big; too bloated; has too many players even for a compressed and busy fixture list.

And today, it appears we’re close to a significant departure, with 20-year-old striker Rhian Brewster on the verge of joining Crystal Palace in a deal that could be worth up to £25M, with reliable claims that the question now isn’t if but when.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce and others, a £25M deal that includes a buyback option—protection for Liverpool in case Brewster blossoms—is expected. However, Palace themselves are insistent that as of yet no offer has been made.

There have also been reports Sheffield United have proposed a £20M loan-to-buy deal for Brewster, but the consensus appears to be Palace’s location—Brewster got his start in London with Chelsea—and money up front will be decisive.

While some Liverpool fans will undoubtedly be upset, with Takumi Minamino establishing himself as clear second choice to Roberto Firmino and the arrival of Jota, it’s difficult to see where Brewster would get minutes at the club this season.

Even leaving out questions of stylistic fit at Liverpool, it’s clear Brewster needs to head elsewhere to develop—and a sale means his new club will be more invested in developing him while a buyback will offer the Reds some protection.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com