Billy Koumetio has been left out of Liverpool’s pre-season squad at the AXA Training Centre, indicating his potential departure amid transfer interest from Scotland.
As Arne Slot begins pre-season training with a roster mostly filled with academy players, the absence of Koumetio and Rhys Williams is noticeable. Both center-backs are over the age limit for the U21 squad, with Koumetio turning 22 in November and Williams already 23. Consequently, their exclusion was necessary.
Progress is being made in securing a new club for Koumetio this summer. According to Le Parisien journalist Marc Mechenoua, discussions are ongoing with Scottish club Dundee United regarding a permanent transfer, not a loan.
Koumetio’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire in a year, which means the club must sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free in 2025. However, Dundee United typically operates with limited transfer budgets, focusing on free transfers and nominal fees. Their record signing remains Steven Pressley for £750,000 from Coventry in 1995. This financial constraint suggests that Liverpool may not receive a substantial fee for Koumetio, despite his initial promise.
If a loan move were considered, Liverpool would likely require Koumetio to sign a new contract first to maintain his market value for future windows. In the past two seasons, Koumetio has been loaned out to Austria Wien, USL Dunkerque, and Blackburn, but none of these spells were successful, as he was recalled early and saw minimal playing time.
Once on the brink of breaking into Jurgen Klopp’s first team, Koumetio now needs a fresh start. A move to Scotland appears promising, especially considering the recent success of his former teammates Owen Beck, Leighton Clarkson, Luke Chambers, Jack Bearne, Oludare Olufunwa, Luis Longstaff, and Morgan Boyes in Scottish football.
COMMENTS