Liverpool want to sign Marcel Sabitzer, according to reports. The midfielder could give them the one skill Gini Wijnaldum never has.
Bild claims Liverpool want Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig. There’s a catch, naturally, as they want around £36m despite him being in the final year of his deal.
That’s a hefty fee for a 27-year-old who would be free one year later. Interest from multiple parties, however, clearly gives Leipzig confidence.
And for his part, Sabitzer wants to leave. He won’t be signing a new deal and thus is available.
Liverpool’s intent is obvious – they’ll want him to replace Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman’s contract expires this summer and he’ll likely leave for nothing.
But he’s been an important part of the squad over the last five years. Replacing him is vital and in Sabitzer, Liverpool have a great option.
The Austrian is experienced, in his prime, and versatile enough to play in Liverpool’s all-action midfield. In fact, we believe he’d offer a trait Wijnaldum never really has.
Goal-threat
Sabitzer has played centre-midfielder, defensive-midfield, attacking-midfield and as a forward this season. And he’s got goals wherever he’s played.
Prior to this season, Sabitzer had an xG of 5.1 in 18/19 and 7.1 in 19/20. That’s miles ahead of Wijnaldum’s 2.5 and 3.1.
Sabitzer is a goal threat from midfield and chips in with a considerable amount. He had nine goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga alone last year – it’s not just his xG that catches the eye.
Wijnaldum, in contrast, got four goals and zero assists. Offensive output is really the only part of his game that Liverpool haven’t seen.
Sabitzer, then, could at least improve on that if he came in as the replacement.
Though, there is a word of warning on this plan. Wijnaldum may not have scored in Red but he did before he arrived.
He had 11 goals and five assists in his Newcastle United season. His final year with PSV Eindhoven resulted in 14 goals.
Wijnaldum has scored for the Netherlands in recent years, too. For whatever reason, he’s simply not translated that output to his game for Liverpool.
Perhaps Sabitzer has better luck with that. It would certainly be one of the biggest hopes if Liverpool do sign him.
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