Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly both eyeing a move to bring Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse over to the Premier League in the summer.
According to German publication Bild, there are two Premier League clubs interested in Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse. The player is regarded as one of the most cultured strikers plying their trade in the Bundesliga. However, he could well be on his way to England, with Chelsea and Liverpool both keen to acquire his services.
Max Kruse has plied his trade in Germany his entire footballing career thus far. The 29-year-old received his senior break at Werder Bremen and after several seasons of wandering within the league – the player joined St. Pauli, Freiburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg – the player returned to Bremen last season.
While he missed the start of the 2016-17 season, his return to Bremen was highly prolific as Kruse managed 15 goals and 7 assists in just 23 league appearances. It is this form that has seen the player being linked to a move away from the club and perhaps, this time, even the nation with Premier League taking a keen interest.
Max Kruse would be a great option for Chelsea as a third striker. 15 goals last season, available for £16m. Still only 29 pic.twitter.com/Vmn1vC5xIp
— Cobham Blues (@cobhamblues) July 20, 2017
The 29-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester United earlier in the present window. However, United secured the signature of Romelu Lukaku and are since, likely to have ceded their interest in the German international. Chelsea and Liverpool, though, have arrived as fresh suitors for the striker.
Chelsea have recently signed Alvaro Morata. But, with Diego Costa set to leave and Michy Batshuayi still failing to convince Conte, the Italian manager is looking to add to his strike force. Max Kruse, with his experience and current form, might be the best stopgap option for the club.
Liverpool, on the other hand, can assure regular game time at Anfield. The Reds have signed Dominic Solanke from Chelsea. And while Klopp is sure to give Solanke an extended look-in into the first-team squad, the Englishman is unlikely to be the first-choice at the club from the get-go.
Hence, a player like Kruse can come in and lead the attack for atleast two seasons and Solanke can then take over after playing as the German’s understudy. The 29-year-old’s release clause of €12 million has reportedly expired in July and the player is currently valued at around €18 million.
20 – No other player has been involved in as many goals as Max #Kruse (@werderbremen_en) in the 2nd half of the #Bundesliga season. Wanted. pic.twitter.com/pNpV5M3YEU
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) July 20, 2017
While the figure isn’t much, Werder Bremen is unlikely to let their star go for cheap and will mostly price the player at a point which may make things interesting.
However, Chelsea and Liverpool are both capable of doling out the cash to land Kruse and if either or both end up making a move, we could well see the 29-year-old head out of Germany, in his first footballing venture outside the nation.
