Bayern Munich completed the signing of Serge Gnabry from Werder Bremen and the transfer has immediately led to speculation surrounding Liverpool and Douglas Costa.
Former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry completed a move to Bayern Munich from Werder Bremen and according to the Independent, the transfer could open up an avenue for Douglas Costa’s potential transfer to Liverpool.
Gnabry last week activated a release clause in his Werder Bremen contract to end his one-year stay at the club and was being linked with a move to Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich with former employers Arsenal also thrown into the mix.
Evidently, the German international has locked in on Bavaria as his final destination following an impressive season under the tutelage of Alexander Nouri at Bremen. The 21-year-old enjoyed arguably his most prolific season at the senior level with 11 goals and 2 assists to his name.
Proud to become part of this club ?⚪
— Serge Gnabry (@SergeGnabry) June 11, 2017
Interestingly though, his signing raises further doubts and questions regarding the future of Bayern’s Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa who has seemingly fallen down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti this season.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a brilliant debut season in the Bundesliga with 6 goals and 18 assists to his name. He doesn’t have as attractive a tally to show for this time around and following an unsatisfactory amount of game-time looks primed for a move out of Germany.
Liverpool and Juventus are being pitted as favourites to land the Brazilian. The Merseysiders could desperately use a player of Costa’s quality on the wings to add to the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.
Jurgen Klopp has missed a natural winger on the flanks for the Reds this season with his side suffering in the absence of a player like Mane.
Hence, it would be a good call for Liverpool to capitalize on the doubts surrounding Costa’s future and complete a quality acquisition that will work wonders for the side during their Champions League safari next season.
The Anfield side have gained a reputation for botching up transfers this summer. An illegal approach for primary target Virgil van Dijk forced a complaint from Southampton which in turn led to Liverpool withdrawing their interest in the player.
Furthermore, their lack of conviction in completing a deal for AS Roma’s Mohammed Salah isn’t leaving their fans pleased at all. Dominic Solanke remains the club’s only acquisition this summer and with the wings, centre-back and left-back positions needed to be addressed, Klopp has a lot of work left to do.