According to Fotomac, Liverpool have joined the pursuit of Dorukhan Tokoz. The Besiktas midfielder has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, following a remarkable season in the Turkish Super League. It is believed that Besiktas have already rejected offers from Udinese and Lazio, but the report claims that Liverpool are the latest club to join the pursuit.
Darukhan’s rapid rise to prominence
Tokoz joined Besiktas in a €700k move from Eskisehirspor last summer. And after a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old has become a first-team regular for Besiktas.
He built a formidable partnership with club captain Atiba Hutchinson at the base of Besiktas’ 4-2-3-1, which was critical to their season that saw them narrowly miss out on the Turkish Superlig title by four points. Tokoz finished the campaign making 20 league appearances, during which he scored three goals and assisted another three.
His quick rise to prominence saw his market value increase from €1.75 million to €5.5 million. And that is sure to rise further if he can continue his excellent form in the middle of the park.
What can Darukhan bring to the table?
A defensive midfielder by trade, Tokoz is mainly known for his aggression and willingness to win back possession for his team. The 23-year-old has notably made 2.8 tackles per game – more than any other Besiktas regular.
The Turkish midfielder is also quite good when it comes to reading the game, having averaged two interceptions per game. Aside from that, he often excels at man-marking and is a disciplined all-rounder. He can also drive forward and provide useful passes into the final third. And that is backed by the fact that the Besiktas star has delivered 0.9 key passes per game this past season.
Why Liverpool should make a move for Tokoz?
Liverpool have lacked a reliable back-up for the two defensive midfielders in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. And with James Milner already in the final phase of his career, someone like Tokoz will be a welcome addition to the club.
Tokoz’s combative qualities in midfield make him a tailor-made fit for Klopp’s aggressive gegenpressing style of football. His robust nature will also suit well to the physically astute nature of the Premier League. Besides, he is likely to be available for a lower fee when compared to other targets available in the market. And at the age of 23, he could be a smart long-term investment for the Reds.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
