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Liverpool’s hunt for a long-term answer to the Mohamed Salah question has been one of the big storylines of the spring, and one name that has appeared as a potential replacement is TSG’s Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure.
The 20-year-old Ivory Coast winger has been on Anfield’s radar for weeks, with Sport Bild first reporting that Richard Hughes and the Liverpool recruitment team see him as one of the most realistic candidates to help fill the void Salah will leave behind this summer.
Scouts were in the stands when he played the full 90 minutes for Ivory Coast against Scotland at Hill Dickinson Stadium back in March, and his pace, directness and end product in the Bundesliga have only sharpened the interest since.
Bundesliga have only sharpened the interest since.
That interest became formal earlier last month, when Sky Germany reported that Hoffenheim had been “officially informed” of Liverpool’s serious intent. Now Hoffenheim have responded with a number, and it is not a small one.
According to German outlet Kicker, TSG are bracing for Toure’s exit this summer, and as a result have set their valuation at over €40 million.
His contract runs until 2029 and contains no release clause, meaning Hoffenheim have leverage.
Andreas Schicker, Hoffenheim sporting director, previously said to Sky Sports: “Bazou has developed very well. We brought him from Sweden a year and a half ago. You can just see week after week what qualities he brings to the table. With him, it’s like this: If interest is expressed – you can tell because he delivers week after week – then it has to be in spheres that perhaps haven’t existed in Hoffenheim before.”
Liverpool will not have a clear run. Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all monitoring the situation, and Hoffenheim know a bidding war only strengthens their hand. With two games left in TSG’s season, Kicker suggests both could realistically be the last time their supporters see Toure in a Hoffenheim shirt.