A successful summer window under Jurgen Klopp has guided Liverpool in maintaining an unbeaten streak in Premier League so far. They are leading the league tally alongside mighty Manchester City who are ahead on goal difference.
But the Reds, despite missing out on multiple title glories in recent past, have emerged as prime contenders alongside Chelsea as well as Arsenal. With winter approaching, big guns of England are tipped to dive into the transfer market to fix their shortcomings and Liverpool, reportedly, have already identified their transfer objectives.
If rumours are believed to be true, the Merseysiders are monitoring the contract situation of Iker Muniain, the homegrown prodigy of Athletic Bilbao who was once dubbed as “the Spanish Messi” for his impact and style of football. The attacker progressed through the youth ranks of the Basque outfit before making his senior debut at the age of 16 and earned attention for his swift skills as well as creative attributes.
The 25-year-old Spaniard is yet to agree on a contract extension with his boyhood club which has alerted the top European outfits including Liverpool. Muniain’s current deal runs down next summer, and the player is allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement in January when the transfer window reopens. The Reds should look to have him on a Bosman move next year but must convince him first despite his wishes of extending the stay at San Mamés.
Although Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have penned down new deals at Anfield, Sadio Mane is stalling on a new contract and had been linked to a move to Real Madrid back in summer. Also, the Reds lack an alternative to the Senegalese winger down the left flank, and the arrival of Muniain would introduce more competition, quality and versatility in their attacking third.
Muniain has represented Spain in several youth ranks before making his senior debut back in 2012. The player, meanwhile, suffered cruciate ligament injuries in both the knees but had a speedy recovery that brought him back in action earlier than estimated.
The Bilbao attacker has netted 51 times in 357 club appearances altogether and is showing sublime form this term with four goals in seven games already. Muniain has been utilised in multiple roles, and the flexibility he brings to the game would hand Klopp more suppleness while implying his strategy.
His past injury records might force Liverpool to think twice before making a concrete move (remember the Fekir saga). However, having the Spaniard for free is a risk worth taking and would be yet another shrewd piece of business from the Merseysiders.
