Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not ρłɑɴ to rest on his laurels following the signing of Alexis Mac Allister with a £34.4m raid on Feynoord ɾєρօɾτedly next in the works.
The Reds have acted swiftly to get their first business of the summer over the line with Mac Allister signing in an initial £35m Ԁєɑł. But with four players departing from Liverpool’s midfield alone at the єɴԀ of the season, Klopp is ρłɑɴning at least two more recruits to bolster his engine roon.
Indeed, the likes of Nicolo Barella, Khephren Thuram and Kouadio Kone have all this week been linked.
Thursday’s Transfer Gossipalso suggested a fresh move for long-term Klopp target, Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, was also being explored.
However, with quantity as well as quality needed at Anfield this summer, it is unlikely Klopp will go too in too big on any one signing. Indeed, it that was policy that saw Liverpool abandon their quest to sign Jude Bellingham. The teenager, who this week has agreed a €100m move to Real Madrid, was deemed too costly by Liverpool.
It was a similar story with Mason Mount, with Klopp ultimately feeling the fee for Mac Allister represents a better Ԁєɑł.
And now ɾєρօɾτs in the Netherlands claim a ‘serious’ approach is being made to Feyenood for captain Orkun Kokcu.
The Turkey star has enjoyed a sensational season for Arne Slot’s side. Featuring in 46 games across all competitions, the 22-year-old scored 12 times and assisted with five more goals. For a defensive midfielder, his stats are nothing short of sensational.
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Liverpool transfers: Klopp wants Kokcu as signing No 2
NowDe Telegraafhas outlined Klopp’s wish to bring the 20-times capped star to Anfield this summer.
They ɾєρօɾτ that Kokcu is also on Benfica’s radar and they are ready to battle Liverpool for his signature.
However, it is seemingly Liverpool in pole position for his signing, already establishing contact over a Ԁєɑł. And while they do not state if the actual contact is with the player or Feyenoord themselves, they do state Klopp is ‘charmed’ by the prospects of adding Kokcu to his midfield.
Seen as an iԀєɑł midfield foil for Mac Allister, Klopp believes the addition of both men can give their midfield a fresh new approach.
Furthermore, there’s a growing fear at the Eredivisive champions they will be unable to hold on to their star.
In response, Feyenoord are now seeking a club-record fee for their midfielder. Their previous record stands at the £22.5m received from Leeds last summer for winger Luis Sinisterra.
However, they expect to reap significantly more than that with the sale of Kokcu. That will ɾєρօɾτedly see Slot’s side place a €40m (£34.4m) asking price on the midfielder’s head.
Feyenoord willing to sanction €40m sale
Given the valuation of the star,De Telegraafclaims Liverpool are on pole position for the signing. And should Liverpool meet that price, Feyenoord will not stand in Kokcu’s way of making the move.
In addition, they claim the player is taking time to consider his next move. However, they claim Kokcu hopes to have clarity before Turkey’s European qualifiers against Latvia and Wales later this month.
Should he sign for the Reds, Klopp will be bringing an upgrade for Fabinho to the club. The Brazilian has looked well past his best this season, often putting in some cumbersome displays.
And if the Ԁєɑł does get over the line, Liverpool will have landed two quality midfielders for less than £70m.
