Bournemouth have reportedly reached an agreement with Liverpool to secure Jordon Ibe’s transfer to the Vitality Stadium after the Reds accepted a £15 million bid for the winger. Meanwhile, Jakub Błaszczykowski is eyeing an Anfield reunion with former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Jordon Ibe was sparingly used by Jurgen Klopp in the first-team set-up through the second half of the 2015-16 campaign, giving rise to speculation the winger was seeking a move out in search of more first team action. Ever since, the likes of West Ham and Swansea have been linked with pricing the 20-year-old away from Anfield. However, Bournemouth look to have earned Liverpool and Klopp’s permission to hold talks with the youngster over a club record £15 million deal that will see him become the Cherries’ fourth acquisition this summer.
Liverpool, however, have permitted the dialogue between the player and club only upon the addition of a buy-back and sell-on clause, which is a smart piece of business from the Reds. There is no questioning the former Wycombe Wanderers player’s talent and some regular first team action could help his growth into a complete footballer. The clauses included by the Merseysiders gives them an opportunity to either cash-in on his future transfers or even plot his return to the club.
Jordon Ibe was touted to be the next big thing at the Liverpool academy after Raheem Sterling, and following the latter’s departure to Manchester City last year, the winger had a regular look into the starting line-up under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp through the first half of the 2015-16 season. The youngster scored 3 goals and 3 assists in that period for the Reds as he worked his way into Klopp’s plans with some impressive performances. However, a sharp decline in the second half of the campaign saw Ibe earn limited game time in a period that frustrated the England U-21 international.
Klopp reunion for ‘Kuba’?
Poland’s Euro 2016 hero Jakub ‘Kuba’ Błaszczykowski is being linked with a move to Liverpool amidst doubts regarding his Borussia Dortmund future. German publication Bild claim that Liverpool are interested in bringing the Polish winger to Anfield to add some much needed experience to Klopp’s line-up for next season. The 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, is under contract at Dortmund until 2018 but his future at the Westfalenstadion remains unclear. Sporting Director Michael Zorc was quoted as saying,”Kuba [Blaszczykowski] is a BVB player. We will talk about his future in the next few days.”
In 253 appearances for Dortmund over the course of eight years, Blaszczykowski has scored 32 goals and racked up 52 assists. With Jordon Ibe set to leave Liverpool, Blaszczykowski could enter the fray as a more than capable addition along with the likes of Sadio Mane in that region of the park. The Polish forward is among the numerous Dortmund names that have been linked with Liverpool ever since Klopp took over at Anfield. His awareness of the German boss’ tactics and his work-ethic could help him succeed at Liverpool. That said, there’s no certainty those qualities will come good in a Premier League eco-system that is vastly different from the scene in Germany.
Klopp is looking to empower young talent at Liverpool and at 30 years of age, Blaszczykowski doesn’t exactly present that possibility indicating that the winger could be brought on as a squad player who could impart his vast experience and knowledge of the game to his younger peers.