Liverpool exited the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea on Tuesday night and in the process might have handed Nottingham Forest a summer transfer boost.
The Reds were linked with a move for Pedro Chirivella during January (Goal) and his season at first-team level looks to be over now that Liverpool are out of the cup.
Chirivella is out of contract during the summer. His performances earlier in the season had seemingly convinced Jurgen Klopp to hand him a new deal.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, however, he was left on the bench as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 and such a significant snub might spell the end of his Anfield career.
Since joining Liverpool in 2013 from Valencia, the Spaniard has managed just 11 first-team appearances and at 22 he needs to be playing regular football.
The Liverpool Echo has previously reported that Liverpool wanted £4 million for his services. Although Chirivella is out of contract during the summer, the Reds might still be owed compensation given that he is under 24.
The ex-Spain under-17 international could be an ideal signing for Forest.
Ben Watson is 34 and won’t be playing forever, Alfa Semedo is only on loan and Samba Sow has struggled with injury issues this season.
That would leave Ryan Yates and possibly Tiago Silva as options for central midfield.
Freshening the midfield up with a player boasting as much quality as Chirivella could be ideal for Forest.
He has shown in the domestic cup competitions this season that he can play, posting some decent statistics from midfield.
Fresh start
Against a strong Everton side in the third round of the FA Cup, he was named Man of the Match by Who Scored. He had a pass success ratio of 83%, completing 75 passes during the contest.
(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Chirivella hasn’t been in a Premier League squad this season and now that Liverpool are out of the FA Cup his season looks to be over.
Having impressed in the other cup games not getting on against Chelsea will represent a real kick in the teeth for the Spaniard.
Forest are a club on the up and Sabri Lamouchi has got the best out of several youngsters this season.
Forest and Chirivella could prove a match made in heaven and even at £4 million, he’d represent a decent acquisition for the Reds.