Liverpool are in contact with Rennes over a move for Jeremy Doku, although the Premier League side have to pay €50 million for the Belgian international.
According to Anfield Central and Belgian transfer expert Sacha Tavollieri, Liverpool have contacted Rennes for Jeremy Doku’s transfer. Still, the Reds will have to pay €50 million to sign the 19-year-old Belgian attacker. Additionally, the Merseysiders will also need to offload players to make space for any new arrivals.
Liverpool have a near full squad as the club prepares for a competitive season in the Premier League, domestic competitions and the Champions League. Their only summer signing has been Ibrahima Konate, who moved from RB Leipzig early in the window. Many believe more new faces might come, although some have to leave.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and some others are thought of as outcasts as Jurgen Klopp targets fresh faces. The Reds have been looking for a wide attacker to add this summer, although Klopp does not want a congested squad heading into this season.
Liverpool are still interested in Watford’s Ismaila Sarr and could be prepared to pay a premium for the winger. The Senegalese winger has shown his loyalty towards the London club, helping them gain promotion from the Championship. However, he is an established player at the Hornets, one of their important ones.
Alternatively, Liverpool also have sights on Jeremy Doku, who could be available for €50 million. The 19-year-old was a sensation against Italy at the Euros and impressed many clubs who watched that game. The Belgian international’s age makes him an ideal candidate to replace either Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane in the long-term future.
The problem is the overflowing talent already in the club’s ranks. Klopp recently admitted players need to leave before he could bring any new faces. Shaqiri is deemed surplus to requirements, and the club is waiting on reasonable offers for the Swiss attacker. There was talk of a move to Lazio early on, but those links have gone cold. Lyon are also in the hunt for the experienced attacker, although nothing is finalised yet.
After years of building the team through the transfer market, Klopp wants to develop young talent to replace some of his stars in the coming years. Last summer’s signing of Diogo Jota is a prime example, as the manager considers the Portuguese as a long-term replacement for Roberton Firmino.
The likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are in their prime and might need successors in the next 2-3 years. Klopp might want to add players like Sarr and Doku for this purpose while also promising them ample game time through various competitions and from the bench.
However, the €50 million asking price set by Rennes could become a problem for Liverpool, who might turn their attention towards Sarr, who has meaningful experience in the Premier League and is a proven threat. The Watford attacker is available at a similar price tag, although Doku could be seen more like a developing gem for the future.
