Chelsea were in ‘advanced transfer talks’ with Alisson before he joined Liverpool but pulled out because of Courtois
CHELSEA were in “advanced talks” to sign Alisson before he joined Liverpool, according to reports.
The Blues stalled on a deal, though, because they thought they could convince Thibaut Courtois to sign a new contract.
Alisson, 27, joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018 for £67million – a world-record move at the time.
But before that, Stamford Bridge chiefs were looking for a new man between the sticks because Courtois had indicated his desire to move to Real Madrid.
Talks were held with Brazil keeper Alisson and he was keen on a move.
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But The Athletic say that the transfer fell through when Chelsea chiefs instead decided to focus their energy on convincing Courtois to stay.
With talk cooling, Liverpool swooped in to seal a deal, which in hindsight has proved a stroke of genius.
The ex-Roma man has won the Champions League and Club World Cup with the Reds – and looked certain to add a Premier League title to that too before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For Chelsea it was bad news, with Courtois completing his move to the Bernabeu in August 2018.
They signed Kepa Arrizabalaga in his place for a world-record £71.6m – eclipsing Alisson’s landmark deal just 20 days after he signed it.
Alisson tells a slightly different version of how history unfolded, though.
He claims he turned Chelsea down and chose Liverpool because of the club’s history.
Speaking to FourFourTwo last year, Alisson said: “I chose Liverpool for the same reasons I went to Roma when I first left Brazil – I thought this would be the best move for my career.
“Chelsea were changing their manager and not playing in the Champions League. I’ve also always admired Liverpool’s history.
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“This is a club with five European Cups in their trophy cabinet. I really wanted to be part of that history.
“I came very close to winning the competition with Roma and I’m working hard to make it happen now with Liverpool.
“What’s life if not fighting for your dreams? I dream of winning the Champions League.”