The Premier League season is almost here and Liverpool are the only team to not make a transfer despite having a new manager in Arne Slot.
That looks set to change with reports stating that the Reds are about to sign Giorgi Mamardashvilli from Valencia with personal terms said to a formality and the deal just waiting on clubs to agree a fee.
Mamardashvilli would reportedly go on loan once an agreement is reached and according to reports, Bournemouth would be the beneficiaries.
Valencia are allegedly asking for a €30m fixed fee with an extra €10m in add-ons.
So who is the Georgian and why do Liverpool want him to be their first signing this summer under Slot?
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Who is Giorgi Mamardashvilli
A six foot six goalkeeper who started his career in the FC Gagra academy in Georgia at 12-years-old, Mamardashvili got his break in professional football at FC Rustavi at the age of 19.
After moving around his homeland for next couple of years he was loaned to the Spanish side Valencia in the July of 2021 where he impressed, resulting in a permanent move to Los Ches.
“I was told that there was a goalkeeper at Lokomotiv Tiblisi who was outstanding, so I started following him,” recalls Antonio López, the agent who brought “Mama” to Estadio Mestalla.
“After seeing him against Granada in the Europa League, I decided. I contacted Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Villarreal, Betis… but they all told me, ‘A Georgian? Don’t kill me.’ I was pulling my hair out because I saw that he was a top goalkeeper.”
At Valencia the Georgian impressed playing 100 matches and recording 31 clean sheets, being labelled as one of the best young goalkeepers in football at the moment.
“He’s a goalkeeper who handles well low shots, reaches balls that can be challenging for taller goalkeepers, like Courtois or Donnarumma, who struggle there”. states Víctor Mongil, ex-teammate of Mamardashvilli.
Euro 2024 highlighted the Georgian number one to the world with his incredible performances to help his country get to the knockout stages of the tournament through a massive performance vs Portugal.
They were knocked out the Round of 16, losing to Spain 4-1 despite Mamardashvilli having nine saves but Spain were too strong for the overperforming Georgia.
He was regarded as the best goal keeper in the group stages which elevated his transfer value and increased his exposure to the world on how good he really is.
“Mamardashvili’s leadership, communication and presence in goal gives the entire back line much more confidence, consequently allowing them to play more effectively,” scout Mikha Gabechava said.
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Why do Liverpool want him?
The Reds currently still have Alisson Becker, one of the best goal keepers in the world alongside one of the best back-ups in the league in Caoimhín Kelleher.
Liverpool are reportedly going to send the Georgian on loan to Bournemouth if the deal does not fall through with Valencia.
This means that Liverpool are going to keep Alisson as the number one until he wants to leave or until his contract expires and then replace him with Mamardashvilli in a year or two.
This is smart business from Liverpool as it means that they have bought the player they wanted and is allowed to play regular Premier League football while Alisson is still at the top level.
In the 2023/2024 season for Valencia, the 23-year-old stopper registered a 10.2 xGOTA +/- differential, which was the best of all LaLiga goalkeepers and third-best in the top 5 leagues in Europe.
This would be a massive deal for Liverpool if they can get it done as it would secure a top level keeper for the next decade with Alisson getting to the latter stage of his career and contract at Liverpool.
What does this mean for Kelleher?
One thing that is clear with Liverpool looking for a keeper is that they do not trust promoting Kelleher to take the number one spot at Liverpool when the Brazilian departs.
This could mean that the Irishman could look for a way out of the club and be the number one at a different club which will not be surprising at all.
The Irishman has been very loyal to Liverpool in his nine years at the club and being back-up since the 2021/2022 season so it is a shock that they have not shown faith in him and looked at another keeper.
