Liverpool have reportedly entered the race to sign Turkish midfielder Dorukhan Tokoz, who is valued at €10 million by Besiktas.
According to a report by Turkish outlet Fotomac, Dorukhan Tokoz is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Turkish midfielder is also being pursued by Udinese, whose €7 million bid that rises to €8 million with add-ons for him has fallen short of Besiktas’s €10 million valuation of the player.
Dorukhan Tokoz is hardly a household name among fans in Europe. The 23-year-old is only coming off his first full season in the Turkish top-flight last month, having made his senior bow at Eskisehirspor, who were relegated from the Super Lig in his maiden campaign of senior football.
Tokoz joined Besiktas from Eskisehirspor last summer and took some time to establish himself as a regular. But, after making his first start for the Turkish giants in November, he did not look back, playing every single game when available. And, in such a short time, he seems to have made quite an impression, with Liverpool casting admiring glances towards him.
The Reds seem to boast quite a complete squad in the aftermath of their UEFA Champions League triumph last month. While one or two minor issues remain, Jurgen Klopp’s focus now appears to be switching his attention towards adding depth to their squad, which should ideally help Liverpool sustain their challenge across all fronts next term.
Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been reported to be one such target. And, as far as midfield is concerned, Tokoz could be a solution for Liverpool. Klopp has utilised a number of players in the holding midfield role.
But, by the end of the 2018-19 season, Fabinho had cemented his place as the first-choice in the role. This meant Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson were deployed in more advanced roles, roles the duo excelled in. Hence, signing Tokoz, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, could be a step in the right direction for Liverpool.
The potential arrival of Tokoz could help Klopp have two solid options for the holding midfield role, leaving James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Henderson and Wijnaldum to be the options for the remaining two slots in midfield. Thus, the possible departure of Adam Lallana, who has reportedly been linked with return to Southampton, can be mitigated efficiently.
Alternatively, Tokoz could also be an option to be a box-to-box midfielder while also giving Klopp an emergency option for the right-back slot, a role he has reprised previously. And, Liverpool already seem to have held preliminary discussions with Besiktas over the player.
Liverpool though, will need to meet the Turkish club’s €10 million asking price to land the 23-year-old. Udinese are also interested in Tokoz, but their offer of €7 million plus an additional €1 million in add-ons has been rejected swiftly by Besiktas.
The €10 million valuation is not exactly steep and if the Turkish midfielder can continue his growth at Anfield, he could end up being a bargain for Liverpool. It now remains to be seen if the Reds are ready to pay the price demanded for Tokoz, or if they turn their attention elsewhere.
