The
22-year-old Australian international is now free to discuss personal terms with
the Cherries, and could then join up with Jordon Ibe –
who joined Eddie Howe’s side for £15 million earlier this month.
Smith broke into the Liverpool team under Jurgen Klopp last
season, playing a back-up role to Alberto Moreno and making 10 appearances in total.
Liverpool have been chasing a new left-back to compete
with Moreno all summer, and by allowing Smith to leave indicates that they have
made progress on acquiring a new left-back.
Liverpool are expected to include a buy-back clause in
the deal for Smith, as they have done with Ibe and Sergi Canos already
this summer.
Smith made his debut for the club under Brendan Rodgers at Chelsea in December 2013, but
almost left the club a year ago when his contract expired and a new deal
couldn’t be agreed. Eventually a deal was agreed shortly after Klopp’s arrival
and he found himself given an opportunity in the FA Cup, scoring at Exeter
City.
Smith will now leave the
tour in the US in order to return to England to discuss the move.
He could be one of two full-backs to depart, with Jon Flanagan also
expected to complete a loan move to Burnley.
Smith would be the 11th departure so far this summer,
including loans, with Mario Balotelli, Christian Benteke, Joe Allen, Flanagan, Andre Wisdom and Tiago Ilorialso set to leave as Klopp trims the
squad ahead of his first full season in charge.
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