A flurry of reports on Liverpool FC’s potential transfer activity this summer hit the rumour mill today, so let’s go through them. They mostly centre around wingers.
Axel Hesse of BILD reports that the Reds are holding off on making firm offers for wingers at the moment, partly because there is an expectation that there will be a change in the head coach position this summer, with Xabi Alonso as the favourite.
That said, he also reports that Liverpool are looking at Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, with
the German side hoping to score a fee of €100m.
Following reports emanating from Germany of interest in Hoffenheim’s 20-year-old Bazoumana Touré, Hesse reports that he is high on LFC’s shortlist, with a move to England likely, with an expected fee of €40m.
Writing in his Daily Mail column about Liverpool’s search for Mo Salah’s successor, LFC-connected journalist Lewis Steele chimed in on the Touré links, saying that Liverpool have been watching him, but he is perhaps not the leading target right now.
Steele lists Brighton’s 21-year-old winger, Yankuba Minteh, as another potential option, but adds that Brighton paid £33M and would realistically want to double that fee in a sale.
Reporting on a story about Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG potentially pursuing Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, The Telegraph’s Jason Burt mentions Liverpool’s long-standing interest in the player, but they are understood to be prioritising other players. The fee expected to be demanded by Aston Villa is in excess of £80M, and the price might rise to an initial £90M if a bidding war develops.
Ben Jacobs also adds that Liverpool retain an interest in Morgan Rogers, with the club potentially targeting two wingers this summer following Mohamed Salah’s departure and the void left by Luis Diaz, and that although a right-sided attacker is the priority, a move for Rogers cannot be ruled out.
Phew, now that the rumours are out of the way, let’s rank them.
Diomande still looks the most likely. Plays both flanks at a high level. Leipzig have no leverage because he’s holding out on a new contract, we have good relations, and I expect that fee to plummet.
For Minteh, Liverpool has had interest in the player in the past, but with just 2 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season, I don’t think £66M is a price Liverpool will be willing to pay, despite what he brings in versatility, defensive work rate and pressing. Brighton are also notoriously tough customers to negotiate with, and they always seem to maximise their transfer fees, so unless there’s a clause, I wouldn’t count on this happening.
Touré, with 2 goals and 11 assists to his name this season while plying his trade in the Bundesliga, probably also has to boost his goal numbers, but at €40m, it’s a lot easier to stomach. He’s also more of a left-winger, which may explain why he’s considered less of a priority, but getting him on board as a depth option would be a really smart value play, I think.
As for Morgan Rogers, it feels like there’s been interest from Liverpool since last summer, but… is he really a winger? He can play on the flanks, but he’s really an attacking midfielder. And at a price of at least £80M, I would like Liverpool to add actual speed rather than another player who needs the ball at his feet.
