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Liverpool: Germany winger rumoured; Newcastle midfielder linked; Skrtel latest
Liverpool’s summer transfer window has already been a busy one, and it looks as if they are increasing their activity further by reportedly joining the race to sign highly rated Germany and Wolfsburg winger Julian Draxler.
Draxler, 22, joined Wolfsburg from Schalke last summer as a replacement for Kevin de Bruyne, who departed the Volkswagen-owned club for Manchester City for £55 million. He is a member of Germany’s European Championship squad, and it is rumoured in the that the Anfield side are willing to enter into a battle with Manchester United for his signature. The Echo are reporting that United are willing to spend £30 million on Draxler and that Liverpool would not want to miss out on another talent to their bitter rivals.
Still a young player at just 22, Draxler is the kind of talent that Liverpool are normally attracted to, and his 6’2″ frame, as well as his vast array of skills could add something different to their attacking line. He sparkled for Germany in Die Mannschaft’s 3-0 win over Slovakia in the last 16 of the Euros, and would certainly add to the squad.
However, he is still far from the complete package. Wolfsburg dropped from 2nd in the Bundesliga to 8th last season as Draxler struggled to fill the void left by the excellent de Bruyne. With Sadio Mane already arriving at Anfield this summer, some would question whether Liverpool need to spend £30 million on an area where they are already stacked with talent. This is a move that probably won’t happen.
Secondly, the Reds have once again been linked to Newcastle and France midfielder Moussa Sissoko. Relegated with Newcastle last term, the Magpies are reportedly holding out for £12 million for the energetic midfielder, according to the , who claim that Klopp is interested in signing the France international.
Sissoko would certainly fit in with Klopp’s high-pressing, high energy style, but question marks could be raised about whether this is a signing that really needs to be made. £12 million is not a bad price, but Sissoko, whilst impressing, has never really consistently shone at St. James’ Park, and with plenty of talented youngsters coming through, it would appear strange to clog up the squad with another decent, but not spectacular attacking midfielder.
As for exits from the club, it appears that a number of Liverpool players could be heading for the exit door.
Firstly, long-serving centre back Martin Skrtel looks to finally be on his way out of the club, after Liverpool a £5.5 million bid from Fenerbache. A veteran of 320 appearances for the Reds over eight years, Skrtel has fallen out of favour with Jurgen Klopp and it looks certain that he’ll now depart the club, with only personal terms to complete with the Turkish giants.
Although Skrtel has given his all for Liverpool over the years, he is the exact personification of the mediocrity that has plagued Liverpool in the last decade or so. Skrtel is a commited, but not clever defender. Paired with the classy Daniel Agger or even Jamie Carragher, he could hold station, but his positional play was often very poor and resulted in the plethora of last ditch blocks that look good for the cameras but in reality show a struggling defender. A loyal servant, yes, but it is time for Skrtel to depart.
At the other end of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Jordon Ibe also looks to be on his way out of Anfield after the club accepted a £15 million bid from Bournemouth for his services. Ibe, who scored his first Premier League goal on the last day of last season, has struggled to break into the first team, and the arrival of Sadio Mane is only going to dampen his chances this campaign.
Whilst Liverpool may be losing a potentially valuable asset, £15 million is way above Ibe’s current market value, and Bournemouth are taking quite a gamble on the youngster. As much as it would be great to see Ibe flourish at Anfield, he has a much better chance of doing so with regular football at the Vitality Stadium and the money is far to good to turn down.
Finally, Jurgen Klopp is eyeing a reunion with Borussia Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski. That is according to German publication who say the German could raid his old club for the player who played a starring role at Euro 2016 with Poland. He spent a loan spell at Serie A side Fiorentina last season, making 18 appearances in all competitions and finding the net on two occasions.
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