Liverpool released its accounts recently, which confirmed a net transfer expenditure of less than $100k (yes, that is a “k”). I expect some bigger spending in the summer, but the latest link to Saba Kharebashvili involves the continuation of a recent budget-friendly strategy.
While Richard Hughes did deliver one big name in his first summer — Federico Chiesa — he has mostly overseen a quiet approach to transfer activity. That could change now that Arne Slot has had the chance to assess his squad properly, and the contract situation may yet force Liverpool’s hand, but continuity from the Jurgen Klopp era has proved to be no bad thing.
But that’s not to say that Liverpool has been twiddling its thumbs in the transfer market. Though the so-called marquee signing has thus far failed to pay divideds, the Reds are already reaping the rewards from some lower-profile moves.
Liverpool has always been active in youth recruitment, but it has felt like an even more concerted strategy in recent years. Particularly post-Brexit, the best players in the UK have been aggressively targeted, with Rio Ngumoha poached from the Chelsea ranks over the summer.
Meanwhile, Trey Nyoni has continued where he left off under Klopp, earning a place in and around the senior squad in Slot’s setup. Amara Nallo may have endured a nightmare European debut, getting sent off against PSV, but he’s another to have made the breakthrough after arriving from elsewhere in England at youth level.
It has become more complicated to search further afield, with Stefan Bajcetic the last big U18 signing from Europe that Liverpool sneaked under the radar before new regulations kicked in. But that’s not to say that scouts aren’t keeping an eye out, and Kharebashvili has apparently come to the club’s attention.
(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Though Liverpool may well be on the lookout for a new left back at some point in the near future, with Andy Robertson now entering veteran territory, Kharebashvili would almost certainly be part of longer-term planning. If nothing else, the Dinamo Tbilisi youngster would not be permitted to join until he turns 18 in September of next year.
Despite his tender years, however, Kharebashvili has already featured on numerous occasions for the Dinamo Tbilisi first team. The 16-year-old became the youngest ever player to feature in a UEFA club competition last season.
Kharebashvili hails from the Tbilisi academy, which is also responsible for the production of Giorgi Mamardashvili — the only other senior transfer Hughes has arranged thus far, with the goalkeeper due to arrive at Anfield in the summer. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also came through the ranks there, amid a real golden patch for Georgian football.
Learn more
The left-back is currently valued by Transfermarkt at just $860k (£670k), a trifling fee for a club of Liverpool’s stature. At the same time, the estimated price tag also makes Kharebashvili the third most valuable U17 defender in the world.
From Liverpool’s perspective, therein lies the beauty of its current transfer strategy. In a best-case scenario, players like Kharebashvili ultimately make the first team — but even a worst-case scenario often still involves a profit.
However, Liverpool will not have it all its own way if it tries to sign Kharebashvili. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also alert to the hotbed of talent emerging in Georgia, and have set their sights on the defender as well.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool and Real Madrid are both “monitoring” the situation. Barcelona, for its part, has “set its sights” on Kharebashvili.
Originally a midfielder, Kharebashvili has since gained experience on both sides of the defense. As a left-footer, he is more comfortable on the left, but has covered in both roles.
While whatever fee he fetches will still likely be a drop in the ocean for whichever club buys him, interest from so many European giants undoubtedly strengthens Dinamo Tbilisi’s hand. It received over $4m for Mamardashvili, and will hope to match or surpass that if a bidding war breaks out for Kharebashvili.
