The Bosnian defender is said to be a prime target for both Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte.
Schalke’s Sead Kolasinac is becoming something of a hot property among the top Premier Leagues clubs, with Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham all keen to bring the defender to England.
The 23 year old left-back had a break-through year in 2012, then aged only 19, emerging as one the best defensive prospects in the Bundesliga. The claim only strengthened in 2013-14, on the banks of another solid season for the Bosnian but rather unfortunately, Kolasinac ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee at the start of 2014-15, which ruled him out for almost the whole season, returning only around mid-April, 2015.
Sead Kolasinac missed a crucial year of playing time which did affect his progress a bit, and but he slowly got himself back on track in the following season, participating in 30 matches in 2015-16. Kolasinac’s agent even revealed Manchester City and Roma were interested in signing his client in the 2016 January transfer window.
And now, German outlet, Bild, have claimed three English clubs – Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham are engaged in three-way-battle for the Bosnian.
Sead Kolasinac’s current contract with the club ends in June, 2017 and the player has been coy over any extension talks, stating, “It (new contract) must fit for both sides. I have no time pressure.”
The club are adamant they want to keep the player, but Bild insists Kolasinac wants assurance from the club for a more integral role before putting the pen to paper.
Schalke lost Joel Matip on a free transfer to Liverpool last summer, and would be hoping to avoid any repeat of the same with Kolasinac.
Liverpool’s predicament for the left-back position is well-documented, with Alberto Moreno’s defensive attributes leaving much to be desired while James Milner, even though has done well at the position, isn’t primarily a defender. Kolasinac is physically strong, excellent in winning one-on-one duels and good aerially, which makes the player a perfect candidate for Liverpool’s defensive concerns.
Kolasinac’s versatility must also impress the managers, being adept at filling in as a defensive midfielder, centre-back and even as a winger, if the situation demands.
It’s, therefore, easy to see why the top Premier League clubs are desperate to have their hands on the Bosnian.
