Sportacentrs.com football reviewer Edmunds Novitkis in his Patreon stated in the account that “Liepāja” paid between 100 and 200 thousand euros for Bruno Melni, but the portal Sportacentrs.com it is known that the amount is exactly 150 thousand euros.
Melnis, who will turn 21 years old in January, scored four goals in the last league season, scoring two of them directly against Liepāja.
It was already the fifth season in the Premier League in his career.
The most productive was the 2022 season, in which Melnis scored ten goals, sharing the eighth place in the list of top scorers, but only Raimonds Krollis was ahead of him among Latvians.
“Liepāja” also wants to attract Lukas Vapni. The midfielder of the Latvian national team belongs to “Metta”, but spent the last season on loan to “Valmiera”.
Windy cities the club has offered an expensive salary and an impressive signing bonus, but the 21-year-old Vapne’s priority is going abroad. He has played eight games in the Latvian national team.
Liepājnieki started the last season modestly, even in the last place, but with the breakthrough of the second half of the season – seven wins, two draws, two losses in the last 11 games – they managed to climb to the sixth place.
True, “Daugavpils” finished three points higher with a much smaller budget, but “Valmiera” was 16 points ahead of “Liepāja” even after deducting nine points.
In mid-November, it became known that Tamazs Pertija will no longer be the head coach of “Liepāja”.
Going for Glory: An Interview with Latvian Football Legend Juris Laizāns
Today, we welcome Latvian football legend juris Laizāns too discuss the recent transfer activity of FK Liepāja and the club’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Juris,welcome! It’s an honor to have you join us.
Juris: Thanks for having me. It’s always a pleasure to talk about Latvian football.
Let’s dive right in. FK Liepāja recently secured the signing of Bruno Melni for a reported €150,000. What are your thoughts on this acquisition?
Juris: Melnis is a talented young striker with proven scoring ability. He’s shown his potential in the Latvian Premier League, and I believe he can be a valuable asset for Liepāja. His experience playing against them and scoring twice last season will be crucial.
Do you think the €150,000 price tag is a fair deal for a player still developing his game?
Juris: In today’s market,€150,000 for a young player with his potential isn’t unreasonable,especially considering his goal-scoring record. Though it truly seems high compared to previous signings, Liepāja clearly sees him as a key part of their future plans.
FK Liepāja is also reportedly pursuing Lukas Vapne, who, as you know, has made a name for himself with the Latvian national team.
Juris: Vapne is a talented midfielder with a bright future. He’s already shown his capabilities at the international level.
However, it’s mentioned Vapne prefers a move abroad. Do you think Liepāja stands a chance of luring him away from a potentially more prestigious chance?
Juris: it’s a tough challenge, but Liepāja is showing ambition by offering a significant salary and signing bonus. While Vapne might be aiming for bigger leagues, liepāja could offer him valuable playing time and experience at a high level. It ultimately depends on his priorities.
Looking at the bigger picture, do you think FK Liepāja can build on last season’s resurgence and challenge the top clubs like Valmiera or Riga FC?
Juris:
Liepāja definitely showed progress last season, especially in the second half. However, Valmiera and Riga FC are established powerhouses. Closing the gap will require consistent performances and smart signings. Melni and Vapne,
if they manage to secure him, are steps in the right direction, but Liepāja needs to strengthen in other areas as well.
What do you think are some areas Liepāja could focus on improving to achieve their goals?
Juris: Strengthening their defense is crucial. They conceded
quite a few goals last season.
They also need to improve their consistency, especially at the start of the season.
I believe that the development of their young talents needs to be a continued focus.
Lastly, the head coach departure is a factor to consider.
Navigating a change in leadership mid-season can be disruptive.
We’ve seen how they performed well under Pertija. Finding a suitable replacement who can build on that momentum will be key for their success.
(looking at the camera)
Well, there you have it, folks. Valuable insights from Latvian football legend Juris Laizāns on FK Liepāja’s ambitions and the challenges that lie ahead.
what are your thoughts on FK Liepāja’s chances this season?
Do you think they can compete at the top level?
Let us know your opinions in the comments below!
