According to reports from Calciomercato, Liverpool reportedly missed out on the signature of Jeremy Doku in 2018 because of a conversation with former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Anderlecht’s Jeremy Doku pictured during a soccer match between Waasland-Beveren and RSC Anderlecht, Saturday 29 February 2020 in Beveren, on day 28 of the ‘Jupiler Pro League’ Belgian soccer championship season 2019-2020. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
The talented teenager has been regularly tipped with a summer switch to Anfield with Doku potentially following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Denis Praet and Lukaku who all traded Anderlecht for the opportunity of playing in the Premier League.
The Belgium U21 international recently revealed to Het Nieuwsblad that he had the chance to join Liverpool two years ago but instead felt that his development was best suite by staying at Anderlecht.
Jurgen Klopp had compared Doku to a young Sadio Mane who joined Liverpool from Southampton for a fee of £34 million in 2016.
Calciomercato claim that Lukaku played a fundamental role in why Liverpool missed out on the chance to land Doku for a pittance in 2018.
Lukaku, who was then playing at Old Trafford, convinced his fellow countryman Doku to reject Liverpool’s approach and continue his development in the Jupiler League for another year or two.
Photo by Nico Vereecken / Photo News via Getty Images
Liverpool remain interested
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Liverpool still remain interested in Doku who currently is valued at £17 million following a stellar breakthrough in the Belgian top-flight under Vincent Kompany this season.
The Mirror also reported that Liverpool could lose two attacking members in the summer window with both Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri linked with Anfield exits meaning the Reds will be looking to bolster-up their forward department.
Jurgen Klopp has recently signed a contract extension until 2024 and has overseen the development of young talent such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez which could play a significant role in convincing Doku to Anfield.