Liverpool’s transfer plans have been set. It appears that FSG and Jurgen Klopp are convinced that evolution rather than revolution is required at Anfield this summer.
This comes from The Athletic. They claim that neither Klopp or the board expect a major rebuild in the coming months.
Meanwhile, talks of Liverpool signing either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe have been described as ‘fanciful’.
The Reds don’t currently have the financial muscle, while Klopp has maintained he is more interested in developing world-class talent rather than inheriting the finished article.
It’s why Liverpool are in pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate, who is reportedly finalising a summer move to Anfield.
A release clause of around £34 million represents another shrewd investment from an FSG perspective. The highly-rated 21-year-old France youth international is a welcomed addition.
Liverpool’s hunt for a striker this summer could also branch in a similar direction. Divock Origi, after all, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
Upgrading the Anfield icon to give them a more potent striking option off the bench is crucial.
This makes the topic of another potential Red Bull prodigy all the more fascinating. One option Liverpool could consider is Salzburg striker, Patson Daka.
A case for Daka
According to The Mail, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs interested in the 22-year-old forward, who has 27 goals this season. Daka is just as potent in front of goal for his country, too.
In fact, Daka struck twice for Zambia in a win over Zimbabwe this week. He then bagged a brace in the following clash against Algeria.
Daka now has five goals in his previous three international clashes.
And as a result, Daka now has more than 30 goals to his name this season for both club and country.
Still, despite his best efforts, Daka’s rich vein of goalscoring form wasn’t enough to help Zambia qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, with his national side finishing third in the group.
Understandably, Daka was left devastated by his team’s failure to compete in next year’s tournament in Cameroon.
He was recently quoted by Bolla Zambia: “Despite us winning, it’s a very emotional night for us knowing that we could not go to the Africa Cup and it is one thing that we were looking forward to but unfortunately the plan from God and we just have to accepted what has happened.”
A silver lining
Still, failure to qualify for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in January 2022, actually works in Daka’s favour in regards to a summer move.
With the rescheduled tournament due to take place during the middle of the European season, clubs could have been inclined to avoid a player whose international allegiances could see him miss a significant part of next season.
Instead, Daka won’t be forced to miss up to two months of the 2021/22 campaign.
With Liverpool already expected to lose the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita next term, another player added to that list would have been unthinkable.
Luckily, Daka is now available for the entire season.
Austrian outlet Salzburger Nachrichten also reports that Salzburg have a modest £17 million valuation for the striker.
So, it’s increasingly likely that Daka has moved significantly higher in this summer’s shop-window.
He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s quick and he can’t stop scoring – all of which are traits which will struggle to go unnoticed in the coming months.
It’s become increasingly clear, too, that a move for Haaland just isn’t realistic in the current financial climate. However, there is a silver lining. Liverpool could look to the Norwegian’s former club for another long-term attacking solution.
And as we saw with Diogo Jota last year, Liverpool do tend to avoid going down the traditional route when it comes to transfers.
This only enhances the case for Klopp to prioritise the signing of a relatively unheard of prospect such as Daka.
His recent international blow, too, only strengthens a case for Liverpool to sign him this summer.