Liverpool have finally missed out on signing Ghanaian teenager Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who has signed for Sporting.
As per Record, the 18-year-old has signed a five year deal for the Portuguese club. Included in the deal is a £50m release clause.
The youngster will join up with his new team for the start of next season. According to Record, Sporting coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Issahaku will split his time between the first-team and the youth team.
Liverpool lose out in transfer saga
Issahaku’s move brings to and end a strange transfer saga which saw all sorts of claims about Liverpool’s involvement. Goal first claimed Liverpool’s interest in the player in May last year.
This was followed up by reports that Liverpool had actually signed the player a month later. Football Ghana claimed that The Reds had picked up the then 17-year-old for £1.5m and that he was heading to Sporting on loan.
Record then reported that the youngster was in fact signing permanently for the Portuguese club, without Liverpool being involved at all.
Almost a year on and Record’s claims have proven correct. Whether a move to Liverpool was ever on the cards or not perhaps we will never know.
Not quite over yet
It’s no surprise to see the highly-rated youngster choose to sign for Sporting. They are one of the best around at spotting and nurturing young players.
If they have seen fit to insert such a high release clause into Issahaku’s contract, they must rate him very highly indeed.
Liverpool have reportedly had the good sense to heavily scout the Portuguese Primeira Liga recently (Sky Sports). Having picked up Luis Diaz for a good price, they are seemingly hopeful of plucking more talent from Iberia.
In that respect, Issahaku’s move could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for The Reds. With eyes focussed on Portugal, if the Ghanaian can make an impression, he could yet find his way to Liverpool.
There are no guarantees with such a young player of course, and it may be some time before he is able to show his talents on a regular basis. Sporting are title contenders once again and have good attacking options.
However, if he can force his way into their side over the coming years, Liverpool’s scouts could have another option for Jurgen Klopp to weigh up a move for.
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