Valencia offer fresh update on Giorgi Mamardashvili transfer to Liverpool

Valencia manager Ruben Baraja has confirmed that Giorgi Mamardashvili’s transfer to Liverpool is ‘very advanced’ as the Reds close in on their first signing of the summer. The Georgian international underwent a medical on Monday after a £30m deal was agreed with the La Liga outfit.

Liverpool will pay an initial £25m and a further £5m in add-ons, with it being suggested a 10% sell-on clause is also included in the deal. The 23-year-old will remain with Valencia on loan for the 2024/25 season, before moving to Merseyside next summer.

Speaking ahead of Valencia’s clash with Athletic Bilbao, Baraja confirmed Mamardashvili's looming transfer to Anfield as he shared his delight at being able to retain the goalkeeper’s services on loan for the season.

“He is very advanced and the most positive thing is that he can compete with us this year,” Baraja said. “Hopefully it can be defined soon.

“The club makes a great sale for the club's economy and we continue to count on him from a sporting point of view. He will try to have a good season and be decisive in the team

“I have always explained that in all clubs around the world, if there is a situation of a player on the market, if the club considers it appropriate, we have to adapt.

“For us, it is positive that the player is still with us, considering what has happened, it is good news.”

Meanwhile, Valencia sporting director Miguel Angel Corona had previously offered an update on Mamardashvili on Monday when speaking at the unveiling of new signing Luis Rioja, confirming that the Georgian will remain with the club this season.

“Regarding the situation, we cannot hide it: We are close to reaching an agreement that includes Giorgi staying for one more season,” he said.

“Regarding reinvestment, first of all we have stepped forward in this window, something that we were asked a lot about last year when it was difficult for us.

“This year we have been a step ahead, knowing that with so many assets there would be some sales.

“We have 20 outfield players, which is the squad composition that we had planned, but we will be attentive in case any opportunity arises to improve the squad that falls within our circumstances.”

Speaking about the club's pursuit of Mamardashvili last week, current No.1 Alisson Becker revealed he had been consulted about the plan to make the move and said he was on board with the club's attempts to plan for the long-term future of their goalkeeping department.

"I think the club needs to prepare for the future," Alisson said. "We are not going to last forever here, I am getting old! No, for a goalkeeper I am still young, I have a lot of energy and I still have much to give for this club and I want to give to the club as much as I can.

‌"But they have to prepare for the future. They have and they will do for different positions as well. We have so many important players with the contract expiring and the club needs to organise themselves for the future.

"I think it was a good idea, I knew about that (Mamardashvili) before it came out on social media and that is a good message for me because the club cares about what I think.

"But they are doing the right thing in my point of view, but, on my side, as long as I have my contract here and as long as I am happy here, the club is happy with me, my family is happy here, I will stay."

While Mamardashvili will not link up with Liverpool until next season, the Reds remain active in the transfer market ahead of the window closing on Friday night.

The club have asked about the availability of Juventus forward Federico Chiesa, who is understood to be available for around £13m, while the likes of Stefan Bajcetic and Tyler Morton could both leave the club on loan following offers from Red Bull Salzburg and Bayer Leverkusen.