According to reports from Le10 Sport, Liverpool are the latest team to have entered the race to sign talented Lile midfielder Boubakary Soumaré.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Boubakary Soumare of Lille OSC during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Soumaré, 22, has been reported to be the interest of a number of top European clubs – including Manchester United – despite making it clear he wants to stay in Ligue 1 at least until the end of the season.
Reports from the respected French outlet have stated that Jurgen Klopp is weighing up the possibility of a January bid with both Naby Keita and James Milner currently struggling with injury.
Soumaré would be a welcomed addition with the youngster having already made 50 Ligue 1 appearances despite his young age.
The France U21 star made six starts in the Champions League this season for Lile – including an impressive cameo at Stamford Bridge – and has already featured 18 times for the Ligue 1 runners-up domestically.
His relentless energy levels coupled with his defensive maturity would fit perfectly with Klopp’s style of play and tactical demands.
The Daily Mail recently touted the young Frenchman as ‘the new Paul Pogba’ with Manchester City also said to be interested in the former PSG academy graduate.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Boubakary Soumare of Lille OSC and Ngolo Kante of FC Chelsea battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
Soumaré will not remain an unknown prospect for long and Klopp may need to begin preparations for the rebuilding phase once his contract expires in 2024.
Despite already boasting the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Adam Lallana injuries have taken their toll this season and many are coming towards to latter stages of their careers.
Lallana appears to be leaving at the end of the season whilst both Henderson and Wijnaldum will be 30 by the end of next season.
Klopp has already secured Takumi Minamino with one eye to the future. Could we be about to see lightning strike twice this January?