Liverpool’s Academy youngsters have found no shortage of potential suitors this summer. A host of Championship sides has approached to sign youngster Ryan Kent, who impressed at Barnsley last season, scoring three goals. He is touted as one of Liverpool’s brightest prospects in recent years. Despite all the other interest from Championship sides, German outfit Hannover 96 seems to be the best suitor for the talented young winger and Kent is all set to move to Germany before the transfer window shuts down.
Hannover’s meeting with Julian Ward, Loan Pathways and Football Partnerships Manager of Liverpool seemed to have played a huge part in these deals. Ward, it seems, has been impressed by Die Roten‘s boss Martin Kind’s ambitious plan to bring back to the club it’s former glory whilst utilizing the youth in the process.
Hannover are also said to be interested in another youth prodigy in Ben Woodburn but that deal is likely to go down, considering the youngster has already tasted some first team minutes under Jurgen Klopp who rates the 17-year-old very highly.
It comes as no surprise that H96 are moving so swiftly in their transfer activity this summer. The Reds from Germany, are known for their injury issues during the course of the season. Sporting director Horst Heldt wasted no time in alleviating their injury problems by signing a host of new faces this summer and Liverpool’s Ryan Kent could well be the next in the list. It’s not only the injuries, however, which might haunt Hannover, they are also pretty impotent in terms of offensive superiority.
Niclas Fullkrug in their main striker up front, who just scored five goals last season. Even though Martin Harnik has been impressive at Hannover, scoring 17 goals in the second division last term, the Austrian is the only established attacker Hannover currently have. And to make things worse, Martin Harnik’s future with the club isn’t guaranteed either as a Bundesliga top dog could come and scavenge the 30-year-old before the end of the window.
It is, however, a good news for Ryan Kent, who will at least have a chance to make his mark in the Bundesliga. Liverpool themselves have a strong philosophy when it comes to their loan policy. Liverpool has stringent requirements that must be met for players to be loaned out — this includes clauses like minimum playing minutes – and they must be convinced that player development is not stifled by any loan. Therefore, Kent is somewhat guaranteed to taste first team football at some point in the season.
Ryan Kent is a direct winger, who likes to stay out wide and attack. He will definitely be an improvement to their current crop of wingers in Uffe Bech and Kenan Karaman. Coach Andre Breitenreiter will be delighted to know about his crossing and dribbling abilities – a trait that’s perfectly suited for his tactical philosophy. Therefore, all things considered, his move to Bundesliga, will surely be a good omen for his future perspectives, and of course, coach Jurgen Klopp will be happy to learn that his young players, can get used to his pressing style more efficiently thanks to the footballing experience in the Bundesliga.
