Former Monaco CEO Tor-Kristian Karlsen recently claimed that Liverpool are interested in Schalke star Kyriakos Papadopoulos, and reports today suggest that the Reds are moving quickly to sign the 21-year old central defender.
Last week, Karlsen tweeted that Kyriakos is 'one of the best center-backs in Europe', and claimed that several Premier League clubs are chasing the youngster:
"Liverpool interest is concrete. Has been on the shortlist/highly rated by many European top clubs (including Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd).
"Nice transfer coup for Liverpool if they manage to land Papadopoulos.
Yesterday, The Mirror claimed that Liverpool were set to 'table an offer' for Papadopolous, and today, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that the Reds have put in a €16m offer for the coveted defender.
In September, Papadopolous - who at the age of 21 already has 16 appearances under his belt for the Greece national team - signed a contract extension until 2016, and in a recent interview with FIFA.com, the youngster - nickname 'Papa' by his team-mates - spoke about his rapid rise to first team football with both Schalke and the Greece national team:
“I think a blend of talent and hard work has got me where I am today. My parents were very sporty and I guess I was born with talent, but you need a huge amount of work to make the most of it. It's a very special feeling to be one of the youngest players at Schalke. I'm just delighted at the chance to represent such a huge and successful club"
Papadopolous made his debut for Olympiakos at the age of 15 years and 283 days, and he clearly fits the FSG transfer template. However, with three years left on his contract, he won't come cheap, and there's a significant risk factor in that he's been out injured for almost SIX months.
After Daniel Agger's injury problems, the last thing Liverpool need is another (potentially) injury-prone defender.
The club surely needs a defender who will come in and hit the ground running, and after six months out - and adapting to a new league - I doubt Papadopolous will be able to do that.
If the plan is to also bring in another older, experienced center-back to directly replace Jamie Carragher then fair enough, but I'd be worried if Papadopolous is seen by Rodgers as Carra's replacement.
Jaimie Kanwar
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Last week, Karlsen tweeted that Kyriakos is 'one of the best center-backs in Europe', and claimed that several Premier League clubs are chasing the youngster:
"Liverpool interest is concrete. Has been on the shortlist/highly rated by many European top clubs (including Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd).
"Nice transfer coup for Liverpool if they manage to land Papadopoulos.
Yesterday, The Mirror claimed that Liverpool were set to 'table an offer' for Papadopolous, and today, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that the Reds have put in a €16m offer for the coveted defender.
In September, Papadopolous - who at the age of 21 already has 16 appearances under his belt for the Greece national team - signed a contract extension until 2016, and in a recent interview with FIFA.com, the youngster - nickname 'Papa' by his team-mates - spoke about his rapid rise to first team football with both Schalke and the Greece national team:
“I think a blend of talent and hard work has got me where I am today. My parents were very sporty and I guess I was born with talent, but you need a huge amount of work to make the most of it. It's a very special feeling to be one of the youngest players at Schalke. I'm just delighted at the chance to represent such a huge and successful club"
Papadopolous made his debut for Olympiakos at the age of 15 years and 283 days, and he clearly fits the FSG transfer template. However, with three years left on his contract, he won't come cheap, and there's a significant risk factor in that he's been out injured for almost SIX months.
After Daniel Agger's injury problems, the last thing Liverpool need is another (potentially) injury-prone defender.
The club surely needs a defender who will come in and hit the ground running, and after six months out - and adapting to a new league - I doubt Papadopolous will be able to do that.
If the plan is to also bring in another older, experienced center-back to directly replace Jamie Carragher then fair enough, but I'd be worried if Papadopolous is seen by Rodgers as Carra's replacement.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Would like to see him at Liverpool, I have long been a fan of him (mainly on football manager).
ReplyDeleteI know Greece aren't the best nation team, but to have 16 caps by 21 is pretty good.
big risk at a big price hope he can live upto the expectations if we sign him ,and at that price for a young defender they will be high
ReplyDeleteInjury prone after one knee injury? I've seen him play and he a very good defender, no nonsense, also he puts his body on the line, and he a threat from set pieces! He back in pre season, excellent addition if he signs hopefully he does!!:)
ReplyDeleteI'm sold on this guy Jamie. Despite his recent injury, he's a beast of a player and seems to have a mean streak! perfect, we've needed that for some time. Get him ASAP, I've never been this excited about a centre back signing
ReplyDeleteTor-Kristian Karlsen is not the CEO of Monaco, he left the club in January.
ReplyDeleteTo suggest that the lad might be injury prone after one bad knee injury seems a bit harsh, don't you think? Does he have a record of injuries that makes you believe he might be prone to regular injuries in the future? I have never seen the lad play but have asked a few German friends about him after seeing us heavily linked with him and they were all full of praise for him. Apparently he is very good at reading the game and very strong in the tackle. Sounds like he might be a great replacement for Carra. Like the sound of this one.
ReplyDeleteFrom wiki: On 12 March 2012 it was announced that Karlsen was hired as the new sporting director of AS Monaco.10 September 2012 the club announced the promotion of Karlsen to the job as Chief Executive Officer
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why this guy feels he needs to bring our transfer targets out in the open. Seeing as he is "self employed" currently, I can only imagine he knows his agent and is trying to get a percentage out of driving the price up. On the player, he's an absolute beast of a defender and at 16 million euro not priced too high. I think Rodgers will bring Toure in to partner Agger so he can slowly bring in Papa and eventually Wisdom. With Badstuber out for ten months again, we better act fast because I doubt it'll be long before Bayern are in for Papa.
ReplyDeleteimo we should go for shawcross now whilst they are managerless
ReplyDeleteRaf Honigstein has said on talk sport we are close to signing papadopoulous, brilliant news and a excellent signing!!!!
ReplyDeletein your opimion
ReplyDeleteAH man in FM his is a beasttttttttttttttttt!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I have had to give up FM for good as it was taking too much of my time :( Man I love that game.
2004-2013 FM R.I.P
Alot of people rate him highly so not just my "opinion" :) and this is the 3rd class signing coming in under Rodgers, exciting times:-)
ReplyDeleteSo we could put him up against Fellaini. I like the thought of countering the Belgian's elbows.
ReplyDeleteSo? As long as he's not Suarez the FA won't mind.
ReplyDeleteI go through stages, usually when transfer windows are approaching.
ReplyDeleteLove the game and same experience. Had to give up temporary to prepare for CFA. But I never bought him as he is too expensive and whenever I had that kind of money I buy Dede or Zouma. BEST PLAYERS.
ReplyDeleteSurely best game ever.
former CEO
ReplyDeleteDOWNING and HENDERSON had proven PL experience but they needed a season until they started to perform well.
ReplyDeleteWould be a good buy but u need awful big shirts to fit his name on the back.
ReplyDeleteHe is a very talented player and probably a good signing (im not worried about the injury).
ReplyDeleteApparently we are courting Toure aswell.
But where does this leave us with our current Defender situation.
Agger, Skrtel and Coates are our experienced defender and im assuming one or two will be leaving.
We then have Wisdom and Kelly who have just resigned and can both play centrally and young Jones is being offered a contract also we have Samba most likely being the next youngster to start knocking on the door aswell.
Im aware as much as anyone that a majority of our junior players will not make it into the seniors.
So do we really need to sign several defenders? or can we get away with Papadopoulos and promote some youth to compete for back up roles?
Original article said CEO before the author changed it.
ReplyDeleteGood point.JC wasn't exactly BECKENBAUER but still had a lot better technical qualities than RYAN SHAWCROSS.
ReplyDeleteThe letters on the back will cost more than the actual shirt!
ReplyDeleteI hear he is on Moyes wish list for Man. U.
ReplyDeleteI think they have 1st choice to buy him back.
ReplyDeleteagree but experience should help
ReplyDeleteHonestly the only reason I still believe he can make it with us haha
ReplyDeleteSurely FM can't be wrong, by 2016 he'll be terrorizing the EPL!
He's tall enough...barely. He weighs 187lbs...so he has the heft. He has played 57 games in the Bundesliga...so he's seasoned in a big time league. He's young. He's known for being a strong defender with good vision. What's not to like? I hope we get him. My only concern is he seems to be leaving teams early for more money...so I wonder how long we would actually keep him.
ReplyDeleteSCHALKE accepted a bid from ZENIT for him.I'm sure more wages would've been put on the table but he turned it down, hardly a money grabber!
ReplyDeletehe is a great player. He might suffer burn out mind as he was played from young but i would really like to have him signed. If we get Toure on a free for the expereinced older player then thats some great buisness as two good players who offer different things
ReplyDeleteJason, you're sounding like an idiot. Liverpool4life, you're being too nice to him!
ReplyDeleteformer one
ReplyDeletehaha...But I believe he is a fantastic player in real world as well. I just have feeling he will become a world class player in 3 years
ReplyDelete