Liverpool have completed the first signing of the Arne Slot era by confirming a £29million deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The 23-year-old, who excelled in the European Championship as Georgia played at their first-ever major tournament, will stay in Spain for this campaign and then join the Reds ahead of next season.
It is seen as succession planning for the eventual exit of Brazil No 1 Alisson Becker – who is in no rush to leave and turned down interest from Saudi Arabia this summer – and new sporting director Richard Hughes is understood to see this as a proactive move.
Liverpool have admired Mamardashvili for several years and view this as the right time to sign him given his value will likely only increase in the next 12 months. Mail Sport understands the figure is £25m plus £4m in add-ons.
Speaking on Friday, Alisson, who has two years remaining on his deal with the option of another 12 months, said: ‘The club needs to prepare for the future. We’re not going to last for ever. I have a lot of energy and still have much to give but Liverpool have to prepare for ahead.
Liverpool have signed Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia
‘I knew about it (the interest in Mamardashvili) before it came out and that’s a good message for me because the club cares about what I think.’
On his future, the 31-year-old added: ‘Yes, there was interest (from Saudi).
'When you hear about the numbers other players are getting for playing in Saudi, you are a little bit attracted, that is normal, but it never got to the point where I was talking about wages.
‘I have a contract with Liverpool and I want to finish it, or make a new one.
'I’m really happy. While I have my contract, I will be focused here at Liverpool.
‘If it’s in the interest of the club to negotiate me with another club, then it will be a different conversation. I’m open (to Saudi Arabia), but not at present.’
Mamardashvili completed a medical on Monday. He will not be officially unveiled by Liverpool at present as he remains a Valencia player until the end of this season.
Speaking to Mail Sport in June, Georgia assistant manager David Webb said the goalkeeper was destined for a big future. It is understood Chelsea and other top European clubs were interested at the start of this window.