Stepping issues up, Michael Edwards has reportedly despatched scouts to Portugal to observe one Liverpool goal in motion this week, as he plots a big-money transfer to safe his signature in 2025.
Liverpool switch information
While the Reds had been one of many quietest golf equipment within the Premier League on the switch entrance, it is clear that Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes had been proper to not panic. After welcoming simply two contemporary faces within the type of Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who immediately headed again to Valencia on mortgage, Liverpool sit prime of the Premier League and flying beneath new supervisor Arne Slot.
What has been most spectacular is how Slot has used Ryan Gravenberch. A participant who regarded destined to change into a switch to overlook beneath Jurgen Klopp, who was by no means fairly positive the place the Dutchman’s finest place was, Slot has since arrived to not solely revive Gravenberch’s profession at Anfield however be certain that it is on track to steal headline after headline.
Nonetheless simply 22 years outdated, Gravenberch has emerged to change into a shock resolution to the Reds’ defensive midfield downside after they didn’t signal Martin Zubimendi in the summertime and he may now be rewarded with a high-quality midfield companion in 2025.
In line with File through Sport Witness, Edwards has despatched Liverpool scouts to observe Orkun Kokcu in motion for Benfica towards former membership Feyenoord within the Champions League on Wednesday. Watching on in Portugal, if these scouts like what they see then the Reds could effectively step up their pursuit to signal a participant who’s already starred beneath Slot up to now.
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Liverpool goal Nunez substitute who was getting ready to becoming a member of Chelsea
He’s on hearth to this point this season.
On paper, Koku’s €150m (£125m) launch clause is sufficient to scare any membership off, however experiences at the moment are suggesting that Benfica can be keen to simply accept a far decrease provide across the €50m (£42m) mark to half methods with their midfielder.
“Elite” Kokcu can companion Gravenberch
From a place of panic in the summertime of 2023, Liverpool may have Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Kokcu to name on by the point that subsequent summer time arrives. Their midfield transition has removed from been one with none bumps within the street, but it surely might be one filled with sudden success inside a two-year rebuild.
Kokcu can be the last word reward for Slot too, who loved such nice success together with his Feyenoord captain throughout their time collectively within the Netherlands. Maybe partnering Gravenberch, Slots’ aspect look set to solely get higher and higher.
|
League stats 24/25 (through FBref) |
Orkun Kokcu |
Ryan Gravenberch |
|---|---|---|
|
Begins |
7 |
8 |
|
Progressive Carries |
11 |
20 |
|
Progressive Passes |
48 |
52 |
|
Ball Recoveries |
29 |
48 |
Described as a participant with “elite passing” by analyst Ben Mattinson in 2023, Kokcu has proved that reward proper all through the present marketing campaign, very almost matching Gravenberch all the way in which when on the ball. As Slot appears to show Liverpool right into a staff with final management, the Benfica star would, on paper, be the proper addition.