Liverpool and Nike close to agreeing lucrative kit deal in time for 2020/21 football season

Current kit suppliers match offer from sportswear giant

Liverpool are close to agreeing a kit deal with sportswear manufacturers Nike which could represent a record for an English football club.

However, the prospective deal could be blocked by their current kit suppliers New Balance, who have opened legal proceedings against the European champions.

Liverpool’s £45m-a-year contract with New Balance expires next summer and talks have been held between the club and various other sportswear manufacturers for the past year.

The club is understood to have reached an agreement with Nike which would rival the Premier League’s most lucrative kit deal, Manchester United’s £75m-a-year partnership with Adidas.

But in a statement to The Athletic, New Balance confirmed that they had equalled an offer by Nike, potentially triggering a ‘matching clause’ in their existing contract.

A Liverpool spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our kit supplier, New Balance, has commenced a legal dispute against the club. We will not be making any further comment during these legal proceedings.”

In the statement to The Athletic, a New Balance spokesperson said: ”In line with our current contract, we have matched the offer made by Nike.

“As part of the contract renewal process, LFC has called into question elements of the agreement and as such we are asking the courts for clarity on this case.

“Both we and the club are keen to resolve any contractual challenges as quickly as possible and have agreed to an expedited process in the courts.”

After winning the Champions League last season and mounting a credible Premier League title challenge, Liverpool are arguably in their strongest commercial position ever.

Jürgen Klopp’s side have started the new season well, winning all six of their opening league games to establish a five-point lead at the top of the table.