Liverpool have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of Orkun Kokcu as the Benfica star has decided that he is interested in heading to the Premier League for the first time in his career after a reunion with Anfield boss Arne Slot has become a possibility, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Reds have not been afraid to splash the cash since the transfer window reopened for business, with Florian Wirtz joining in a deal which could result in him becoming the most expensive acquisition in British history following his arrival from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen last month.
Squad members and the fanbase have been left in a state of shock following Diogo Jota's tragic death in a car crash last week, at the age of 28, leading to Liverpool being determined to retain the Premier League title and clinch even more silverware in the upcoming campaign in his memory.
Kokcu Bids to Discover Reds' Level of Interest
Central midfielder may opt to seal reunion with Slot on Merseyside
Orkun Kokcu in action for Benfica
Kokcu is open to completing a move to Liverpool due to a desire to test himself in the Premier League, according to GMS sources, and he is determined to discover how serious the Merseyside heavyweights are about acquiring his services before making a final call on his future.
Benfica have decided that they will entertain bids in the region of £35million for the central midfielder, leading to the Reds and other admirers being put on red alert as they go in search of improving their options in the middle of the park ahead of the upcoming season getting underway.
GMS sources have been informed that Liverpool sent scouts to watch Kokcu during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign and, having seen him cause problems in the final third of the pitch, Slot is weighing up whether to seal a reunion after initially managing him at Feyenoord.
Orkun Kokcu's statistics for Benfica this season
The Turkey international has previously described the Dutch tactician as 'the best coach in the world', highlighting his existing relationship with the Reds' chief, and he has started to indicate a desire to embark on a fresh challenge in the Premier League if he heads through the Benfica exit door.
Liverpool are facing competition from a domestic counterpart as Tottenham Hotspur have also begun taking note of his potential availability in the aftermath of missing out on early summer targets, GMS sources have learned, and Kokcu wants to assess the level of interest from north London.
Kokcu Has Italian Giants Circling for Services
Turkey international weighing up options ahead of possible switch
Orkun Kokcu in action for Benfica
GMS sources have been told that Inter Milan have also touched base with Kokcu and his representatives in a bid to gauge whether he is keen to complete a switch to Serie A, highlighting that he has numerous options and Liverpool may have to move quickly if they want to get the deal over the line.
The 24-year-old playmaker, who has been described as 'elite' thanks to his consistent performances, is taking time to carefully look at all of his possible landing spots instead of rushing into a decision and there remains a possibility that he will end up remaining at Benfica if his price tag is not met by an admirer in the coming months.
Italian giants AC Milan and Roma have also been linked with Kokcu as he considers a move, GMS sources understand, but Slot will be hopeful that the opportunity to reunite at Anfield will result in Liverpool being the frontrunners to turn his head if they up the ante in their pursuit by lodging a formal offer.
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GMS sources recently revealed that the reigning Premier League champions have remained insistent that Luis Diaz is not for sale after Al-Nassr have been aiming to tempt him to the Saudi Pro League, while there is still determination to recruit fresh faces in the remainder of the transfer window.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 08/07/2025
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