The Reds have confirmed the deal for 25-year-old Iago Aspas from Spain’s Celta Vigo is now complete.
According to an official club statement, “Liverpool have tonight agreed a deal in principle with Celta Vigo for striker Iago Aspas, subject to documentation being completed. Aspas can play through the middle or out wide and he could become Brendan Rodgers’ second signing of the summer transfer window following a deal for Kolo Touré.”
The transfer is reportedly for a fee of €9 million ($12 million).
Aspas has Liverpool connections in his past. During the 2011/2012 season, when Celta Vigo were in the Spanish second division (Segunda), his coach was ex-Liverpool player Paco Herrera, who was an assistant under Rafa Benitez during the Champions League winning season.
The Spanish striker scored 23 goals in 35 games that year, as Celta returned to the Primera Division by finishing second in the table.
This move is most likely not a replacement for Luis Suarez, but instead a replacement for Andy Carroll, who is almost certain to depart for West Ham or elsewhere.
However, Aspas is known as another hot-headed figure, playing with passion and desire but also can get carried away at times. His disciplinary record is fine (just 12 yellows and a red in 69 Spanish league matches over the last two years) but with Luis Suarez already at the club - at least for now - he’ll have to keep his act together.
The Spaniard is also considered a huge bargain for Liverpool, and they’ve done well to secure his services for that price. He had a €9.6 million ($12.9 million) release clause, but that was only available for other Spanish clubs.
Celta Vigo avoided relegation by a single point, which probably would have made his price even lower had they gone down, but with the worsening financial stance of many Spanish clubs, they needed the cash.