If a report from the Spanish outlet El Nacional is believed to be true, Liverpool are expected to step up the chase for Adama Traore in the coming months. The Spaniard would be open to ply his trade at Anfield even though Wolves, his current suitors, are keen on extending his stay at Molineux beyond the summer of 2023.
Although the 25-year-old might end up penning a new contract with the Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur have also registered interest in him. His pacy and powerful runs down the wide earned him a place in the Spain national team under Luis Enrique and Liverpool, in need of bolstering their attacking third, might make an attempt to secure his services.
Jurgen Klopp has been an admirer of Traore whom he labelled as ‘undefendable‘, ‘unplayable’ and ‘unbelievable’ earlier this year. This is not the first time the charismatic German heaped praise on the attacker. His game-changing attribute and creative spark impressed the gaffer time and again in recent meetings.
A graduate of esteemed La Masia, Traore mostly featured for the Barcelona reserves before joining Aston Villa back in 2015. But the move turned out to be a dreadful one as he got dropped due to disciplinary issues. Villa suffered relegation at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, however, the winger retained his top-flight status when newly-promoted Middlesbrough roped him in the very next season.
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But it did not work out either as his lack of finishing skills troubled him all through the 2016-17 term. Boro failed to escape demotion and the player finally spent an entire season in the second tier. The spell in the Championship helped him settle in after a difficult start and his potential was utilized by Wolves who tied him down following their much-deserved Premier League return. He soon secured a starting status on the right-hand flank and started adding goals as well as assists to his game with more minutes week in week out.
Why Liverpool Should Still Rope Him In Despite Certain Limitations
Having said that, Traore needs to improve his scoring trait and final balls. The chances created on his own often go in vain due to poor finishing and decision-making, but the ability to torment opponents’ defence would indeed improve the Reds in terms of depth and quality high up the pitch. Sadio Mane has been highly inconsistent of late, whereas Roberto Firmino is a shadow of his earlier self over the past couple of years. Diogo Jota is doing fine, but the entire attacking third is highly reliant on their enigmatic Egyptian Mohamed Salah.
Predominantly a right-winger, Traore has shown his flexibility by operating from the left as well as central positions. Klopp would like to have him in his ranks to challenge and cover the other attacking options, and it is to be seen now whether Liverpool wrap up the deal in the upcoming transfer window.
