Arnaut Danjuma confirmed Liverpool’s interest, suggesting he could be open to a move to follow his ambitions to play at the highest level.
Arnaut Danjuma has been one of the brightest players in La Liga this season, with his top-draw performances already making him a target for some of the big clubs. Real Madrid have been keen on the forward, although the major interest comes from English clubs.
Danjuma only moved to Villarreal last summer from Bournemouth, and the Spanish side are bracing themselves for big offers after a terrific season from the forward. The Netherlands international netted 16 goals across all competitions, helping Unai Emery’s side to a Champions League semi-final spot.
Liverpool, who incidentally beat Villarreal in the semi-final, have been reportedly chasing the forward ahead of next season. The Merseysiders will have to contend without star man Sadio Mane, who could depart the club in this window.
Liverpool are open to selling him and could demand around €50 million from suitors, namely Bayern Munich, who have been chasing the Senegal star. Danjuma could be considered a direct replacement for Mane, as both play similar positions and roles for their respective sides.
? Arnaut Danjuma scored as many goals in the Champions League this season as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe (6) and more than Leo Messi and Sadio Mane (5) pic.twitter.com/I16OngLwjQ
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 30, 2022
Mane has recently been deployed as a centre-forward instead of his customary wing role on the left. Danjuma assumed a similar role for Villarreal for most of the season, making him a like-for-like replacement.
Danjuma has now admitted to Liverpool’s interest in him and suggested he could be open to a move. His comments quoted by Sport Witness via Ziggo Sport Voetbal suggested the Netherlands international was keen on chasing his ambitions to play at a big club at the highest level.
Danjuma said, “I’m always as honest as possible about it: I’ve never had contact with clubs or anything like that during the season. I always know about my situation after the season; I don’t want to be involved in it at all during the season. But I have been informed that Liverpool was following me closely.
“I will never lie: I think it’s a bad quality if you’re not ambitious. And if a club came along that offered me a higher platform to play on sport-wise, I would always have to consider it.”
While some recent reports suggested Liverpool might be out of the race for Danjuma, there has been significant development in Mane’s case. The Senegalese forward reportedly expressed his intention to leave after their Champions League final loss to Real Madrid.
If Danjuma joins Liverpool, he will have big boots to fill. But the Dutch star could be a good signing for the Reds, much like January arrival Luis Diaz.
