Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca could be on his way to the Premier League amidst interest from Liverpool FC, according to Sky Sports’ Spanish expert Guillem Balague. THT analyzes just how good the Colombian is compared to other Liverpool FC striker targets.
The Sunday Telegraph had first confirmed that Liverpool FC were looking into signing the Colombian forward from Seville who had an impressive season, guiding the Spanish side to Europa League win with a 28 goal haul that also saw him becoming a part of the top five scorers in La Liga with 20 strikes. The reports said :
a There is understood to be a a 30a million (A?21.4a million) release clause in Baccaa s contract, which Sevilla say has to be met, while Juventus may try to hold out for as much as a 20a million (A?14.3a million) for Llorente, but will probably let him go for less.a
a Liverpool are determined to add to their strike-force and had targeted Benteke, having signed Danny Ings for a fee to be set by a tribunal but which could be A?5a million to A?7a million, although they will not bid anywhere near the Belgian internationala s buy-out clause.a
a As that interest has started to cool, possibly to see whether Villa lower their asking price, Liverpool are examining the possibility of signing either Llorente or Bacca.a
Sevillea s sporting director Monchi then confirmed the club were powerless from preventing the player to move to Liverpool FC should his release clause be met.
a Baccaa s contract includes obligations for the club and player, but if a club wants to pay his release clause, therea s little we can do.a
Sky Sports’ Spanish expert Guillem Ballague has now confirmed that the player does want to make a switch to the Premier League:
“Carlos Bacca at the end of the season told Sevilla he would like a way out,a Balague told . Sky Sports.
a Sevilla would like him to stay, but he does know there is interest from the Premier League and Italy.”
“He likes the idea of coming to the Premier League, of course he has been abroad for a few years and would be happy to continue that progression abroad.”
“Although Sevilla expect an offer, it hasn’t arrived yet.”
Bacca is currently suspended for Colombia in the Copa America, where he was involved in the post game brawl with Neymar.
So, is Bacca worth the a 30M and where does he really stand in comparison to the current Liverpool FC targets?
Liverpool FC are in the transfer market for a forward, with the press linking the club with Juventus forward Fernando Llorente, Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Salomon Rondon, and Seville’s Carlos Bacca after cooling interest in Aston Villa’s Cristian Benteke.
A quick comparison throws up the fact that Bacca was only beaten by Salomon Rondon in goals per 90 minutes statistic. Putting it into context, Bacca plays in Spanish La Liga, with Rondon in the Russian league. The 0.71 goals per 90 minutes is a very impressive goal scoring rate in the La Liga, the strongest of the four leagues each of the players represent.
Bacca tops the shooting accuracy charts among the quartet, too, with an impressive 71% of his shots on target per 90 minutes.
In addition to his goal scoring prowess, the player has the highest assists per 90 minutes with 0.21, as well.
Bacca is no muck with the ball at his feat, and his take on success ratio of 47.27% is the best by a huge margin in comparison to the other players, who, of course, are more of target men. Though Benteke is not exactly just a target man, but, a player who does like to come deep and dwell on the ball, taking players on. But, there is no doubt the system Liverpool deploy under Brendan Rodgers, a mobile striker like Bacca fits more.
Following his move from Club Brugge, Carlos Bacca has scored 14 and 20 goals respectively in the La Liga for Seville, recording 11 assists over the two years. It is no surprise then, the club are reluctant to let the player go for anything below his release clause of a 30M.
Liverpool FC should be seriously considering going for Carlos Bacca, and the money should not be a problem. The player, clearly, is interested.
Also read: Liverpool FC Have Held Talks With Firmino, Bacca And Rondon