Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of completing their first signing of the Arne Slot era, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to undergo his medical on Merseyside today.
The 23-year-old joined Valencia back in 2022 after a loan spell at the club and has gone on to make over 100 appearances across all competitions for the La Liga outfit.
Mamardashvili also featured in every match of Georgia's Euro 2024 campaign and contributed significantly to their run to the last 16 of the competition.
The Valencia shot-stopper has started Los Ches' first two La Liga matches this season, albeit both ended in defeat against Barcelona and Celta Vigo respectively.
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Mamardashvili medical set for today
The Athletic have now reported that Mamardashvili is on the cusp of becoming Liverpool's newest signing, with his medical set to be complete before the end of the day.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano added that the deal will include £25m upfront and a further £5m in add-ons, as well as a 10% sell-on clause.
However, it is understood that the Georgian international will not feature for the Reds this season, as the clubs have agreed that he will be loaned back to Valencia until the end of the current campaign.
Alisson Becker is expected to remain Liverpool's first-choice keeper for the rest of this season with Caoimhin Kelleher serving as the Brazilian's backup.
Mamardashvili featured in all but one of Valencia's 38 league games last season and kept 13 clean sheets in that time, which was joint-fourth in the Golden Glove standings.
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Alisson nearing Anfield exit?
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the signing of Mamardashvili has intensified speculation that the 2024-25 season may be Alisson's last in the Premier League, given the interest he received from Saudi clubs this summer.
Asked in an interview with The Times if he had any intention of leaving Anfield, the Brazilian said: "The club needs to prepare for the future.
"We are not going to last forever here, I am getting old! No, for a goalkeeper I am still young, I have a lot of energy and I still have much to give for this club and I want to give to the club as much as I can.
"They will do it for different positions as well. We have so many important players with the contract expiring and the club needs to organise themselves for the future."
When quizzed about his thoughts on the signing of the Valencia shot-stopper, Alisson revealed: "I think it was a good idea. I knew about that [Mamardashvili] before it came out on social media and that is a good message for me because the club cares about what I think."
Devesh Jaganath
