LIVERPOOL’S LARGE SQUAD is expected to be cut by three this week as Jordon Ibe, Martin Skrtel and Sergi Canos close in on moves to Bournemouth, Fenerbahce and Norwich respectively.
The England Under-21 international is set to complete his £15 million switch to Dean Court by the end of the week after agreeing personal terms with the Cherries and saying his farewells at Melwood on Tuesday.
Much was expected of the winger on Merseyside, but his development stalled last season in part due to impatience, and the failure to fully grasp Jurgen Klopp’s tactical requirements.
He made 41 appearances in 2015/16; 21 of them as a substitute, enjoying just 10 starts since the turn of the year.
Skrtel, meanwhile, expects to officially be unveiled by Fener on Wednesday.
The centre-back saw his minutes and status at Anfield diminish in the 2015-16 campaign, and is tying up the formalities of his £5.5m transfer after arriving in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Canos will make it a hat-trick of permanent outgoings as he has opted to join the Canaries, who matched Bristol City’s £2.5m bid for his services.
Liverpool opened new contract talks with the 19-year-old this summer, but discussions were quickly quashed given the Spaniard’s demand for a wage of £10,000 a week.
The Reds are set to pocket a further £2m in extras for the starlet, who has agreed a four-year deal at Carrow Road.
Liverpool have negotiated buy-back and sell-on clauses for both Canos and Ibe.
Goalkeeper Danny Ward departed Anfield on Monday, albeit temporarily, as he links up with Huddersfield for a season-long loan after signing a new five-year deal.
More outgoings are set to follow as Klopp has admitted the squad is “100 per cent” too large, especially since the club have no European commitments in the new campaign.
The manager has told Mario Balotelli remaining at Liverpool will not be an option, as there are enough attacking players ahead of him in the queue.
Klopp has vowed to help the Italian “get in the best shape he can be in” and believes ”there will be a club around who would be happy to have a new Mario Balotelli, if you like. I have spoken clearly to the player about that.”
Talks continue with Crystal Palace over £30m-priced Christian Benteke, while Sevilla are considering an approach for Luis Alberto, who would cost upwards of £7m.
The Europa League champions have also admitted interest in Joe Allen, but Swansea are expected to up their £8m offer for the Wales international, which was rebuffed.
Adam Bogdan could leave to Wigan rather than remain as third-choice goalkeeper, while Andre Wisdom and Tiago Ilori are also expected to depart.
Lucas, meanwhile, has admitted his future is uncertain, and the same applies to Lazar Markovic.
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