Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton are reportedly in a three-way tussle to acquire the services of Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse this summer.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse is a heavily sought-after man in the transfer market, especially in England, with as many as 3 Premier League clubs interested in the German international – Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton.
Max Kruse has been a journeyman, albeit swapping clubs every now and then in Germany itself, with the player never playing for a club outside the country. And his return to Werder Bremen was fruitful for the club and the player both as Kruse pitched in with 15 goals and 7 assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances.
The player also proved his fitness as he recovered from an early-season ligament problem to produce such prolific numbers for the club, who achieved a top-half finish after their recent struggles towards the bottom end of the Bundesliga table.
Max Kruse had the highest conversion rate (40.54%) of any player to score 10+ goals in the Bundesliga last season.
Clinical finishing. ? pic.twitter.com/aeH7n94oD5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 23, 2017
However, just a season into his return to Bremen, the player could be set to leave for pastures anew, this time for a club outside Germany, with a trio of Premier League clubs interested in him. Chelsea have acquired Alvaro Morata in a club-record transfer.
But, Conte is keen to add an experienced head to lead the frontline and groom Morata. And while the Italian manager was hoping for a reunion with Fernando Llorente at Stamford Bridge, Swansea’s hefty asking price has compelled them to look elsewhere, with Kruse emerging as a target.
Liverpool’s profound problems to find an able striker since the departure of Luis Suarez is well documented. Daniel Sturridge looked like the solution but his regular bouts with injury and fitness issues has stopped his development. Liverpool have gone ahead and brought in another young Chelsea striker – Dominic Solanke.
But, the 19-year-old is unlikely to be first-choice from the get-go at Anfield and Kruse can serve as a brilliant mentor and stop-gap first-choice striker for Klopp till Solanke steps up. Everton on the other hand, have been on an incredible signing spree this summer.
The Toffees sold Lukaku for a club-record fee and have already brought in several options to aid Koeman’s cause. However, Kruse can be an able addition to the options – Sandro Ramirez and Oumar Niasse, given the fact that Rooney is likely to be utilised more in a number 10 role.
The amount floating around is €18 million – a fee any of the trio would be happy to shell out if it means they land the German international.
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
Kruse has two years left on his deal and must now decide if he wants to stay at Bremen or test his mettle out in an entirely different league – the league touted as one of the most competitive and the most illustrious one in world football.
At €18 million, Kruse is the in-form short-to-medium term addition that can potentially be the difference between title contenders and title winners come the end of the season and it will be interesting to see if the 29-year-old will agree to a move to a new league for the first time in his footballing career.
