Alphari in talks to move to Team Liquid

Former Origen top laner Alphari is close to agreeing to a deal with NA’s Team Liquid, according to a recent report from ESPN.

BREAKING: @TeamLiquidLoL are nearing a multi-year deal with former Origen top laner @Alphari that will close on Nov. 16 when free agency begins, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ED8B7wcuYr

— ESPN Esports (@ESPN_Esports) October 25, 2020

Alphari is considered one of the hottest prospects on the market right now, after a well-lauded year on Origen that saw him cinch a place on the LEC All-Pro first team in summer despite his team failing to make play-offs.

It’s no surprise that Alphari has seen significant interest both at home in the LEC and abroad. Fnatic, Rogue and Team Liquid were allegedly all in the running, but it ultimately came down to a decision between Liquid and Rogue.

Liquid has apparently come out ahead in negotiations.

(Picture: Riot Games)

The deal cannot be signed until 19:00 ET on the 16th November when the global free-agency window opens for League of Legends, but Alphari and the rest of the Origen lineup have been given dispensation by the now- Astralis brand to begin discussion with teams prior to the window.

The multi-year deal is set to see the 21 year-old Welsh player compensated by over $1 million a year should negotiations not break apart at a late stage. He will be replacing long-time top laner Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong who is coming to the end of a three-year deal with the organisation that saw him become the most expensive player in the league. His future is yet to be determined.

The broadcast team's Mid Split MVP: @Alphari! #LEC

KDA: 6.5 (1st)
DMG%: 28.9% (1st)
CSD@15: +10.0 (1st) pic.twitter.com/2eJNISHXeb

— LEC (@LEC) February 22, 2020

Team Liquid are said to be eyeing up FlyQuest jungler, Lucas “Santorin” Tao Kilmer Larssen, as a replacement for Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pederson whose contract is also coming to an end. The perennial NA champions are also looking to hold onto ace mid laner Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen, who also becomes a free agent in the off-season, and retain the services of bot lane duo Edward “Tactical” Ra and Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in who are still under contract until the end of 2022.

A new beginning 😊 Thank you for your love and support throughout my time of playing! https://t.co/5pl73YbE3G

— Søren Bjerg (@Bjergsen) October 24, 2020

Jensen’s future will be another hotly contested one, however. With the recent retirement of long-time LCS icon Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg TSM are on the market for a new mid, and it would be very unusual if the reigning LCS champions didn’t seriously consider negotiating with Jensen.

Nor will they be the only organisation interested in acquiring the TL mid laner, but Liquid have been very proactive in meeting Jensen’s calls for changes in the team - calls that have led to the push to acquire Alphari, and the current interest in Santorin.

The results of Team Liquid’s pending deal with Alphari and the rest of their off-season maneuvers will be resolved come off-season in November.