‘He’s a good fit’ – Liverpool clear to pursue star player as Arsenal chase alternative

Liverpool look to have been handed a clear run at landing Alex McCarthy from Premier League side Southampton after Arsenal allegedly decided to pursue other options.

Liverpool battle Arsenal for shot-stopper

As per a report on Sunday, Liverpool and Arsenal were plotting a summer transfer raid on Southampton FC for the 28-year-old goalkeeper, whose form this campaign has stood out notwithstanding the Saints’ struggles to avoid relegation.

The fact that the Reds have been watching Alex McCarthy will leave Southampton fans with a feel of “not again!” with Liverpool having raided them for Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, forward Sadio Mane, Nathaniel Clyne Adam Lallana, and Rickie Lambert in recent campaigns.

Arsenal seek alternative

And it looks like they will be unopposed in signing McCarthy, with sources claiming Arsenal have no interest in the goalie and are instead working on a deal to land £22million-valued Bayer Leverkusen shot stopper Bernd Leno.

We understand negotiations between Arsenal director of recruitment Sven Mislintat and the player’s representative are well down the line and a move could be agreed soon.

That will give Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a free run at the player if he opts to pursue the move, though the Reds, of course, have AS Roma goalkeeper Alisson as their preferred transfer target this summer.