An exciting Premier League talent is on Liverpool’s transfer shortlist, but he’s an expensive mistake waiting to happen.
Before Liverpool get to the next transfer window, there is still the matter of finishing out the season.
There’s no rest for the recruitment team, who are busy finding the next batch of stars to bring to Anfield.
Liverpool are monitoring Micky van de Ven for a statement defensive signing, while Yan Diomande is another transfer possibility.
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Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road.
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But the latest player linked would be quite an expensive backup.
Liverpool eyeing Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi
There are plenty of holes in this Liverpool squad that need filling.
The striker position isn’t one that springs to mind, but the Reds are nevertheless sniffing around one of the Premier League’s most promising number nines.
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19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi has been labelled a ‘phenomenon’ and likened to Kylian Mbappe. Only Erling Haaland has scored more goals per minute in the league, with the Bournemouth star already on eight for the season after starting just 11 games.
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium.
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Caught Offside exclusively revealed that Kroupi is emerging as a top summer target for the Reds. He would be a ‘long-term’ option, and competition will likely be fierce with Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid all interested.
Sources close to the club are tipping the Frenchman to be ‘the Cherries’ first-ever £70-80 million sale’ — a massive fee considering the role he would be going into.
Liverpool need wingers, not strikers
Last summer, Liverpool splashed the cash on two top strikers just entering their prime. Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak are Liverpool’s future.
To give Bournemouth a record fee for a similar profile seems reckless.
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Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen (£116m)
Hugo Ekitike – Eintracht Frankfurt (£79m)
Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth (£40m)
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen (£29.5m)
Giovanni Leoni – Parma (£26m)
Alexander Isak – Newcastle United (£125m)
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Valencia (£29m)
Hugo Ekitike gestures towards the Liverpool crowd after scoring during the Premier League match against Newcastle at Anfield.
Credit: Stu Forster/ Getty Images
Liverpool need a different profile of attacker. One who can create chances and give us a spark offensively — someone in the mould of Luis Diaz.
With a centre-back, a midfielder and a Mo Salah replacement all on the shopping list, spending over £70 million on a striker — regardless of how exciting a talent he is — feels like an unwise use of funds.
Let Jayden Danns fight for that third spot and focus the recruitment efforts elsewhere.
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