Manchester City and Liverpool have reportedly shortlisted PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko as a potential summer transfer target.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester City and Liverpool are among a host of elite European sides taking an interest in signing Johan Bakayoko from PSV in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been flourishing in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, posting nine assists and five goals in 26 games in the Eredivisie and Champions League this season. PSV are still unbeaten in the 2023/24 Eredivisie, boasting a ten-point lead over defending champions Feyenoord at the top of the table after 20 games.
Overall, Bakayoko has scored 13 goals for them, as well as 20 for their reserve team before breaking through. As well as his 33 goals between those two levels, Bakayoko has 34 assists for either PSV’s first team or reserves.
Having also featured for them in the Champions League, Bakayoko has built up enough of a reputation to be considered as someone who could adapt to playing for a high-ranking European club. His ability to off-balance his marker with his sheer pace and create opportunities has made him one of the most coveted targets on the market.
Liverpool’s interest in Bakayoko is no fleeting affair, having been linked with the attacker since last summer. Salah remains the Reds’ most potent attacking force. The Egyptian forward has returned 23 goal contributions in 24 matches across all competitions this term. However, the Saudi Arabian question continues to linger.
Al-Ittihad verbally offered Liverpool £150 million for the forward last summer. The Reds flatly refused the proposal. The Saudi Pro League champions are not content to take no for an answer. However, and could plot another mega-bid to pose Liverpool a problem in the future.
Liverpool’s decision on Salah could be different this coming summer, at which time Salah will be 32 and have entered the final year of his contract at Anfield. Bakayoko is 11 years younger than Salah and could become a long-term successor to one of the Reds’ greatest ever goalscorers.
Alternatively, the player could link up with compatriots Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City said to have joined the race for the Belgium international. City could add him to their evolving attack, which welcomed Jeremy Doku but lost Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer last summer.
The reigning Champions League holders have also wrapped up a deal to sign Savio from sister club Troyes too after his breakthrough loan spell with Girona. Savio and Bakayoko both could be the next line of great talents at Manchester City.
The left-footed right winger was the subject of a hefty Brentford bid worth €40 million in the summer of 2023. The fact that both Manchester City and Liverpool are interested in the 20-year-old raises the prospect of a potential bidding war, which could be music to PSV’s ears.
