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The Daily Dempsey: Is this the breakthrough?

Clint Dempsey

Photograph: Tony O’Brien/Action

There finally may be a break in the complicated logjam that is tamping down the Free Dempsey movement. And with just one day remaining in England’s transfer window, it’s not a moment too soon.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll appears to be on the move, on loan to West Ham. That’s the first and most important domino that would need to fall in order for Clint Dempsey to even have a chance of that dream move of his to Anfield.

The talk of Dempsey’s move to Sunderland remains alive, although we know this qualifies as an escape hatch for the U.S. striker, whose refusal to play at Fulham may have burned all the bridges back into Craven Cottage.

Freeing up Carroll’s salary is the key here. And make no mistake, officials at Anfield are desperate to get some of the expensive striker’s number off the books. Said manager Brendan Rodgers:

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see Andy has been a cover player for us and has been excellent in terms of his attitude and acceptance of where he is at. … But I don’t think we are in a position to have £35m players as third-choice strikers, or wingers who are on £5m-£6m a year.”

Rodgers certainly would like to have Dempsey, although Arsenal’s Theo Walcott is another target and potential complicating factor; he may or may not still be in play.