Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer this summer.
That’s according to Kicker, who claim that The Reds are one of a number of clubs battling for Laimer’s signature this transfer window.
Liverpool reportedly join Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the Austrian.
Laimer’s current deal expires at Leipzig in 2023. According to Kicker, whether he chooses to extend or look for a new challenge is currently ‘open.’
The Liverpool/Leipzig connection
With Liverpool reportedly in the market for a new midfielder this summer, Laimer could prove to be a smart option.
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If he chooses not to sign a new deal, he could well be available at a decent price this summer. The Reds have a good relationship with the Red Bull club having signed both Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita from them in recent years.
In fact, Laimer actually played with Keita at both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig in the past. According to bundesliga.com, the 24-year-old was actually brought to Leipzig to help ease the loss of Naby’s move to Liverpool in 2017.
Since then, he has gone on to become a key part of the German club’s midfield. With plenty of top-level European experience and 19 caps for his country, Laimer looks ready to make the next step this summer.
Aiming to emulate and Anfield icon
In terms of playing style, Laimer is aiming pretty high in his ambitions. In quotes run by bundesliga.com, the all-action midfielder claims to be hoping to emulate Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.
“The way he (Gerrard) played football, displaying such passion and emotion – I’ve always identified with him,” Laimer said in 2018.
Having also filled in at right-back, perhaps Laimer is more similar to Gerrard than on first glance. He certainly seems to get about the pitch like the former Reds captain. International teammate Marko Arnautovic once claimed that the amount of ground Laimer covers in a game is ‘crazy’ via bundesliga.com.
His former teammate Keita succeeded Gerrard as Liverpool’s number 8 when leaving Leipzig. Things are finally looking up for Naby, but it hasn’t all been straightforward for him at Anfield so far.
Perhaps if Laimer ends up following the well-trodden path from Leipzig to Liverpool, he can have have more luck.