Arnaut Danjuma became Villarreal’s top scorer in the Champions League last night, after claims that Liverpool want to sign him.
The 25-year-old scored his sixth goal in the competition as the Spanish club beat Bayern Munich 1-0. All of his goals have come in this season’s tournament after joining Villarreal from Bournemouth last summer.
As per UEFA Champions League on Twitter, that makes him the Yellow Submarine’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
The reported Liverpool target turned in a shot from Dani Parejo inside the opening ten minutes last night. It means that Villarreal take a lead into next week’s second-leg in Munich.
Red alert on Danjuma
Danjuma’s record comes hot the heels of more reports that The Reds are keeping a close eye on his progress. Goal and Spox reported yesterday that Liverpool are ‘interested’ in the winger and view him as a potential successor to Sadio Mane.
However, it’s claimed that Liverpool are ‘unlikely’ to make a move for the Dutchman this summer.
The Reds have been reportedly interested in Danjuma since last summer. Marca claimed he was on Liverpool’s radar last August, before he eventually moved to Spain for £21.3m.
Rising to the top
Since moving to La Liga, Danjuma’s stock has risen sharply. Alongside his six Champions League strikes he also has eight league goals from just 16 starts.
All this has led to the player himself declaring that he is ‘among the best wingers in the world’ in an interview with The Guardian just yesterday.
Praise has also come from the team on the receiving end of his goal last night. Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann called him ‘very dangerous’ prior to the tie via Goal.
Whether Danjuma’s claim is correct or not is up for debate. But what’s certainly true is that there were a few eyebrows raised when Liverpool were linked with the then-Championship winger.
No doubt had he signed for Liverpool, there would have been some decrying the lack of a big-name arrival instead. But his form since has shown exactly why The Reds could have had him on their radar.
Should Villarreal see out their unlikely lead against Bayern, it could set-up a semi-final with Liverpool, where Jurgen Klopp can run the rule over him at close quarters.
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