A former Liverpool transfer target is set to join Olympiacos, three years after a botched move to Anfield.
Back in January 2021, Liverpool were flailing. Having lost Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and finally Joel Matip to long-term injury, they were without a senior fit centre-back. Something had to be done in the market.
With that in mind, the Reds were linked with all manner of names. Some came closer than others. Duje Caleta-Car for example, claimed that he was simply waiting at the airport for a plane to take him to Liverpool. In the end, the deal was never finalised.
Another who seemingly came remarkably close to Anfield was then Braga centre-back David Carmo. In March of the same year, then manager Carlos Carvalhal claimed that Carmo had had ‘one foot in Liverpool’ and that he was ‘convinced’ the defender was moving to Merseyside.
As it happened though, Carmo never did join Liverpool. The Portugal U20 international instead moved to Porto in in 2022. But things haven’t really worked out for the 24-year-old. And taking to X this morning, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that he’s on the move again.
“Olympiacos are closing in on deal to sign David Carmo from FC Porto, almost done — documents are being prepared,” says the journalist. “Initial loan agreed for Carmo who’s set to travel for medical tests and contract signing.”
Carmo on the move again
It’s interesting to look back on those targets from 2021 and what eventually became of them. Although Carmo had looked like a real prospect at the time, his career really hasn’t kicked on in the manner expected.
Olympiacos are obviously a big and storied club in Greece. But if a player is moving there at 24, three years on from almost joining Liverpool, then – with all due respect – something has gone wrong.
Caleta-Car is another who hasn’t made Liverpool regret their choice not to sign him. Having been relegated with Southampton last year, the Croatian is currently on-loan and in danger of suffering the same fate with Lyon.
Then there were the players who Liverpool did pull the trigger on. Ben Davies didn’t make a single appearance after joining from Preston North End, but has since been a decent signing for Rangers.
Meanwhile Ozan Kabak’s time at Anfield wasn’t perfect, but he did okay. The Turkey international recently praised his experience of Jurgen Klopp and has settled back into life in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
Still only 23, perhaps we’ll see Kabak return to the Premier League at some stage.
As for Carmo, there had been claims that Liverpool may still return for him as recently as Spring 2022. With this latest move, we can now safely rule that out. Waiting for Ibrahima Konate was absolutely the right call.
