Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing KAA Gent winger Moses Simon, also a summer target for Newcastle United and Brighton
According to a report by Belgian outlet HLN, Moses Simon is a surprise name on Liverpool’s wishlist for the summer transfer window. The Nigerian winger is also the subject of interest from Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
This isn’t the first time Moses Simon has been linked to Liverpool, having previously been rumoured to be on the Reds’ radar during his youth footballing days before he joined Ajax. The Nigerian international is currently playing for Belgian outfit KAA Gent for whom he has been a regular over the last three seasons.
In the current campaign, Simon has featured 25 times across all competitions. But while he has been impressive on the field, there is a serious need to improve on a modest record of 5 goals and 2 assists. Nevertheless, he is a player who is attracting interest towards his talent, with Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton tailing him.
For Liverpool, the interest in Simon comes as a bit of a surprise, with other areas of Jurgen Klopp’s squad holding higher priority. Indeed, with the trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino going strong upfront, the need to bolster attack isn’t urgent.
Moreover, with Liverpool having Premier League title winning aspirations, conventional wisdom would suggest them going for more proven customers. But, the Reds have often surprised with their under-the-radar choice of player profiles as transfer targets, who have often flourished at Anfield.
Simon is, thus, someone who fits the bill and could beef up Klopp’s attacking options next season, especially considering the Liverpool boss does not have a much quality in depth beyond Salah, Mane and Firmino following the departure of Philippe Coutinho in January.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is already eyeing possible transfer targets to boost his squad for next season, with the Magpies likely to retain their Premier League status. With Kenedy likely to head back to Chelsea following the end of his loan spell, Simon could be a player who could be a like-for-like replacement on the left flank.
Brighton, too, hold a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old and could make a move for him for the second successive summer transfer window. The two bottom half clubs certainly have an advantage in pursuit of the player, who is eager to secure regular game time, meaning Liverpool might have to take a back seat unless the first-choice trio share playing time.
Newcastle would hope to be at the front of the pack, considering they share a healthy relationship with Gent, having previously snapped up Matz Sels two years ago. It now remains to be seen if Liverpool can manage to swoop the youngster to Anfield by offering him the lure of Champions League football, or if one of the bottom half clubs land him instead.
