Liverpool rounded off their season with an eventful 4-4 draw away to Southampton last Sunday. Outgoing heroes Roberto Firmino and James Milner started their final game in a red shirt, with the Brazilian getting on the scoresheet one last time.
After their poorest campaign in terms of results for many years under Jürgen Klopp, attention has turned to next season and who may be joining the Reds over the summer break.
Sport BILD reporter Tobi Altschaffl spoke to Redmen TV this week and suggested Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Manu Koné could be part of the Anfield summer rebuild. The 22-year-old has been linked with a €30-40m move and could be high on the priority list for new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for his take on the Koné story.
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Neil said:
“A player of that age, of that pedigree, skillset – it’s no surprise that there would be some interest in there.
“Gladbach’s situation – they are a selling club. They’ve done it traditionally and that’s their place in the Bundesliga hierarchy. If you’re looking at Bundesliga players, Bundesliga midfielders, he’s obviously one that’s in the frame.
“We know where his [Schmadtke] main relationships are – in the market, he’s been shopping in, the research that he’s been doing on certain types of player. It sounds like there’s a there’s something in it.
“It’s a very Liverpool price, isn’t it? In terms of that kind of £30 million to £50 million.
“You look at what his scouting report would tell you – he presses the ball, gets about the pitch, is energetic, is strong, is decent on the ball and has played a lot of football. They’re a few ticks, aren’t they? Reliability, physicality, energy, and ability to play in a Jürgen Klopp system.
“I think it’s an interesting link and one to keep an eye on, definitely.”
Redmen Reacts
Load up those YouTube compilations! Koné is a relatively recent link – attention may be turning to other targets following the news that Mason Mount will likely join Manchester United. A deeper-lying midfielder who is tidy on the ball with a good passing range, the Frenchman fits the more traditional profile of a Klopp midfielder. At over six feet tall, he would add some physical heft to a Liverpool side that has often fallen short in that department over the course of the season. His rumoured price tag would leave room for additional signings and fits in with the ‘post-Bellingham’ strategy of spreading the club’s finances around on several signings as opposed to one blockbuster deal. With any luck, the club’s new sporting director will be jumping into action as soon as possible!
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