Liverpool and Everton are reportedly ready to go head to head in the race to sign VfL Wolfsburg’s wantaway star Josip Brekalo.
According to a recent report from Transfer Market Web, Josip Brekalo has attracted the attention of a horde of clubs across Europe after voicing his desire to leave VfL Wolfsburg. He is available for sale this summer for a fee of just €15 million as the Wolves brace themselves for a new era under Mark van Bommel.
Liverpool and Everton are believed to be among the clubs tracking the progress of Brekalo. The likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are involved in the race to sign the Croatian international, who is ready to take the next step in his career.
A product of the Dinamo Zagreb youth academy, Brekalo initially joined Wolfsburg in 2016. He endured a slow start to his career in Germany, having to prove himself on loan at VfB Stuttgart before making his breakthrough with the Wolves. The 23-year-old ace has, in total, made a total of 120 competitive appearances for Die Wolfe.
The winger’s ten-goal involvements in the Bundesliga last season was vital in helping Wolfsburg secure Champions League football. But with head coach Oliver Glasner heading to Eintracht Frankfurt, he is keen on leaving the club this summer.
Liverpool are understandably interested in snapping up Brekalo, with Jurgen Klopp determined to bolster his options in the wide attacking department. The Reds have been strongly linked with a move for Adama Traore this summer, but the Croatian international represents better value for money due to his age and form.
Everton, though, could give their Merseyside rivals a run for their money in pursuit of the Wolfsburg ace. Ex-Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has already voiced his desire to add more attacking options at his disposal amid uncertainty over the future of James Rodriguez.
In Brekalo, Everton could find himself a direct replacement for the Colombian international. The 23-year-old is quite versatile and can play anywhere in the final third, including the number ten role. As such, he should be an ideal option for the Toffees in their bid to further improve their ranks in the attacking department.
Brekalo should be an ideal replacement for Xherdan Shaqiri at Liverpool as well. In fact, it would perhaps be a wise decision on Wolfsburg’s part to potentially strike a swap deal with the Reds, as someone like Shaqiri could prove to be an excellent coup for van Bommel’s team next season.
Three ideal destinations for Xherdan Shaqiri as the Liverpool forward eyes exit | THT Opinion
The Swiss international, for his part, has confirmed his desire to leave Anfield this summer, as he seeks a new adventure elsewhere. What will now be interesting to see is if Everton can usurp their local rivals in pursuit of Brekalo or if Liverpool prevail in the race to sign him in a €15 million deal from Bundesliga giants Wolfsburg.
