Although the signing of Ibrahima Konate has just been announced, Liverpool are reportedly working on other deals including a potential move for AC Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu, Italian website CalcioMercato has claimed. The 27-year-old has not penned a new contract and, therefore, is available next month on a Bosman transfer.
The Turkish international has fired in 9 goals and assisted 12 more in 43 appearances across competitions. He has been integral to the Rossoneri’s rise under Stefano Pioli, the 55-year-old Italian who guided them to script an emotional Champions League return after 8 long years.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star has appeared 172 times for the Red and Blacks since securing a €24m (including add-ons) move back in the summer of 2017. He was already a renowned name for the set-piece traits, whereas his playmaking ability as an outright ‘number 10’ improved Milan significantly in terms of rebuilding from the scratch after years of despair and agony.
While the player is keen on experiencing a new challenge, an array of European hotshots have already registered their interest in the midfield-attacker. Juventus remain one of his potential destinations as he is not very keen to ply his trade in the middle east despite lucrative offers.
Why Liverpool Should Step up The Chase
Liverpool, meanwhile, have spoken to the player’s entourage but are yet to submit any formal bid to secure his services. Georginio Wijnaldum has left the Reds upon expiration of his contract and a move for Calhanoglu would restore balance and inject a creative spark in the middle of the park. Moreover, Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to leave in order to attain more minutes elsewhere and the club, thus, must step up the chase even though his style of play or attributes are not similar to what Wijnaldum and Shaqiri have offered in recent years.
Having said that, Jurgen Klopp has not roped in any attacking midfielder ever since Phillipe Coutinho left for Barcelona. The Merseysiders were close to snap up Nabil Fekir three years ago, but the deal failed to materialize in spite of advanced talks. Liverpool have attuned to a system subsequently without a ‘number 10’ and conquered the prestigious Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup silverware within a year to depict their supremacy in world football.
Yet the opportunity should be explored as they have often lacked variation and creativity from behind the ‘front three’ in close encounters. Calhanoglu won’t bring the work ethics of Wijnaldum, however, his passing, through balls and free-kicks might come good when the situation demands the team to grind out results.
