Liverpool academy ace Bobby Adekanye has expressed disappointment over a lack of movement towards the first-team and is reportedly eyeing a return to Barcelona.
Dutch publication Voetbalzone have reported that Bobby Adekanye has rejected Liverpool’s contract extension offer and is set to test the Bosman agency in the summer. The former Barcelona youngster is eyeing a return to his former club and is also searching for an adequate offer in Netherlands.
The report iterates that Liverpool are prepared to be patient with the 20-year-old and are offering the youngster a three-year extension. But, Adekanye does not want to be patient anymore. The winger has scored twice in 4 games in the UEFA Youth League, but has been disappointed with a lack of first-team chances at Anfield.
Adekanye joined Liverpool from Barcelona in 2015 in hopes of a faster track to the first-team setup. But, injuries have derailed his progress and he is yet to break into the first-team at Anfield.
With Jurgen Klopp already possessing wingers like Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Sadio Mane and still looking to reinforce the said position, Adekanye is unlikely to be afforded any chances in the near future by the looks of it.
“That confidence is no longer there, even though I still greatly respect the club”
Bobby Adekanye confirms intention to leave Liverpool | ✍ @LynchStandard https://t.co/EKgqLwacsb
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) March 26, 2019
Thus, the 20-year-old has taken the step to reject Liverpool’s contract and move to test the Bosman agency. Speaking to Voetbalzone, Adekanye explained his decision while stating that he had heard of interest from Barcelona and a few Dutch clubs. The winger is aiming for first-team opportunities and will be looking for an apt club that satiates his desire and aids his growth.
“I expected that I would get a chance at Liverpool sooner. They said that if I had a good first season, I had a good chance of joining the first. Due to injury oath, that did not come true. I had to undergo surgery at the start of my second season and then it is difficult to return. But in the end I don’t think I appeared in his [Jurgen’s] plans. If so, I have to look for something else.”
“I can go to a large club and gain experience there, just play a little less minutes. Or I go to a smaller club and make more minutes there. I have to make a decision about that. I think that I am ready to play somewhere in a first team.”
As a talent, Adekanye does hold promise. The winger is a part of the Dutch Under-20 side and is hopeful of impressing onlookers with what he has in his locker.
Barcelona could be tempted to make a move for Adekanye. The 20-year-old has the club DNA and will be a much better addition as a backup than many other targets. The player could, in time, provide an outlet that could serve as a replacement for Malcom, who is being linked with a move away from the club.
It will be interesting to see what shape Adekanye’s career takes. The 20-year-old though, is determined to become more than just ‘a mediocre player‘.
