By: Matt Thielen
According to COPE, Liverpool have made a bid for Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi.
The 28 year old has a £30,000,000 relase clause but the Reds have made a £10,000,000 bid. The Algerian national made 30 appearances for the Club this year, starting in every appearance that he made.
Although Mandi is mainly deployed as a central defender for Real Betis, he has played left and right back for the Algerian National Team. This is very important because of the emphasis Klopp puts on versatility.
AFCON Headache
Liverpool currently have four players from African countries (Mane, Salah, Keita, Matip) but just three of them represent their national team with Matip retiring from international play in 2017. The Africa Cup of Nations takes place from January to February and because of this, Liverpool have been without their four African players during these two months.
The Africa Cup of Nations has long been a selection headache for Liverpool and Klopp to navigate and adding Mandi could add to that problem.
Mandi is one of many players to be linked with Liverpool since Dejan Lovren’s transfer to Zenit. Amongst those rumoured to have interested the club is Brighton’s Ben White. It is yet to be known if the Seville based club will accept Liverpool’s bid but it is something to monitor over the next few days.
Would you want Aissa Mandi at the Club?
