Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool look set to rival Manchester City in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s highly rated forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Sun quote that Liverpool will be competing with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their pursuit of much sought-after Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a bid to strengthen their troops for the 2017-18 campaign.
It’s certainly not the first time Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a player from his former employers, but the German will be elated if he can entice the Gabon international to become his first scalp in that regard.
The Reds are badly in need of attacking quality up-front and with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi under-delivering, there have been calls for Liverpool to spend big on a world-class prospect in a forward role.
Klopp’s side are yet to win a game in the Premier League in 2017, and have a solitary win against Plymouth Argyle in an FA Cup replay to show for in other competitions.
Given the kind of murderous edge their attackers had early on in the campaign, Liverpool’s recent slump in form and the lack of impact and quality from the bench to account for that will come as a cause for worry for Klopp.
With all hopes of silverware for 2016-17 wiped out in the space of a miserable month, the German boss will be looking ahead to next season and if the Sun is to be believed, he seems to be eyeing the unlikely possibility of an Anfield reunion Aubameyang.
Aubameyang has made it known in the past that Real Madrid is his dream destination and despite pledging his loyalty to the Westfalenstadion faithful, he admits it’ll be difficult to turn down an approach from the Spanish giants.
But with Zidane claiming that the Gabon international isn’t a priority target for the 11-time Champions League winners, the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool could be the ones at the midst of a transfer tussle for the 27-year-old in the summer.
The 18-time league winners have received offers for Daniel Sturridge in the last couple of transfer windows and should there appear a realistic possibility of them landing Aubameyang, the England international may well be off-loaded to fund the move.
Divock Origi is young and could be retained to grow further with this Liverpool side, but with Sturridge struggling to match his best form at the club, Klopp may be forced to do away with the player despite the knowledge of his capability and potential.
While whether Sturride deserves to stay or leave is a debate that can be saved for another day, it is Aubameyang that Klopp will have his sights set on for the moment.
Manchester City have already expressed their interest on the forward as a potential replacement, should Sergio Aguero leave the club in the summer.
The German boss will look to learn from the mistakes that derailed his side’s title charge this season and prepare them with the quality to take it to the next level in the 2017-18 campaign. Is Aubameyang the missing piece in the jigsaw? Liverpool fans will have to wait and watch.
