Loic Remy’s representatives have said that Liverpool would be “passing up a huge opportunity” if they do not complete the signing of the France striker whose 'heart is set' on playing for the Merseyside club.
Both the player and his club, Nice, have expressed their desire to do a deal with Liverpool for a fee of around €15m (£12.5m) and expect a formal response from Anfield within the next 48 hours. West Ham, who have transmitted a written offer of €17.75m (£15m) have conducted detailed negotiations with Nice, although the club’s president, Gilberto Stellado, has said that their offer to pay in four instalments is not acceptable and that he hopes a deal with Liverpool could be concluded “very swiftly”.
“Liverpool are passing up a huge opportunity if they decide not to go with Remy,” said his agent, Frederic Guerra
“Nothing has been settled yet but I know that Liverpool are having a meeting about transfers and we expect something this week.
“The boy is pure gold and I am not saying that because I am his agent. He has great pace and that is something Liverpool need in attack. Their first Europa League game is on July 29 and you have to ask yourself that if Fernando Torres does not play, whom do they have in attack?
“Remy will get goals in England, that is certain. Potentially, he is a better, stronger player than Nicolas Anelka or Thierry Henry. He is ideally suited for the English game and while he is determined to go to the Premier League, his heart is set on playing for Liverpool.”
Guerra acknowledged that while Liverpool have not yet made a formal written offer to Nice for the 23-year-old, they have indicated their willingness to pay a fee of €13m (£11m) in two instalments.
Sources at Nice have indicated that they would settle for around £12m but want to insert a 20 per cent sell-on clause in any contract. Having bought Remy for €8m (£6.8m) from Olympique Lyonnais they will have to pass on 15 per cent of any transfer fee. Stellado added that he wanted to make Didier Digard’s loan deal from Middlesbrough permanent “but at a lower price than I have been quoted”.
The French sports paper, L’Equipe stated that should Remy sign a five-year contract at Anfield he could expect a monthly salary of around £40,000-a-week.
Liverpool’s scouting department have been monitoring Remy, who scored 14 times in the league last season, for several years but on Friday the club’s new manager, Roy Hodgson, said he would need more time to assess the striker’s potential.
“If Liverpool make an offer it will be done swiftly,” said Stellado, who was due to meet Remy today to discuss his future.
“The amount offered by West Ham suits us but not the payment method. West Ham want Loic because they know that if he plays in England he will be worth another €10m (£8.5m) but they don’t appear to want to pay us the full sum all at once.”
Liverpool, having already shipped out Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina, expect to conclude a £4m deal with Olympiacos for Albert Riera according to sources in Greece.
The winger, who cost the club £8m from Espanyol, has not played for Liverpool since March after publicly criticising the then manager, Rafael Benitez, but is expected in Athens later this week to finalise a deal.
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