Liverpool are ‘closing in’ on the £34m signing of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili

Liverpool will reportedly “close in” on a deal of Valencia goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was one of the stars of Euro 2024 as Georgia suddenly reached the knockout rounds.

Interest in the 23-year-old surfaced earlier this month, with Liverpool exploring a deal that would not see him move from Spain’s east coast to Merseyside.

Now, Athletic writes that a deal for Mamadashvili is close, with clubs negotiating a fee of around €40m (£34m). As has been the case from the start, Liverpool do not want to put pressure on current No.1 Alisson Becker and Mamardashvili will begin his stay at Valencia.

Meanwhile, and as part of the proposed deal, Mamardashvili would not come to Anfield for the rest of the year. It remains to be seen what Liverpool will do then in relation to their 2025/26 squad. Alisson will be approaching his 33rd birthday and entering the final two years of his contract.

No goalkeeper can be satisfied with the rescue job.

Chelsea achieved something similar a decade ago when they signed Thibaut Courtois from Genk in 2011. Instead of competing with Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian moved to Atletico Madrid on loan and wound up staying for three years until Cech returned permanently in 2014.

Mamardashvili was Valencia’s starting goalkeeper during the 2021/22 season, however he achieved widespread international fame earlier this summer. His Euro 2024 performances against Czechia and Portugal were superb, helping Georgia progress to the group stage of their first major tournament, before bowing out to eventual winners Spain.

Liverpool also have Caoimhin Kelleher, who was on the bench when the Reds beat Ipswich Town in their Premier League opener on Saturday. The Irishman made 26 appearances last season in Alisson’s absence through injury, but will turn 26 in just three months’ time and is believed to have ambitions to become the No.

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