Liverpool asked about Chelsea-bound midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to reports. The Reds ultimately picked Arthur Melo, however.
This comes from Gianluca di Marzio. He claims on his website that Liverpool did ask Juventus about signing Denis Zakaria last night. The Reds ultimately chose Arthur Melo as the one they wanted, though.
Zakaria is now expected to join Chelsea on a season-long loan. They’ll have an option to buy the player for around £30m, should he suitably impress.
Liverpool, however, have no such option in their deal for Arthur. That will be a straight loan for this season before he heads back to Turin.
Liverpool asked about Denis Zakaria
Hardly the first time Liverpool have been linked with Zakaria. ESPN reported at the start of the year that the Reds were hoping to pry him away from Borussia Monchengladbach. Instead, he joined Juventus.
But links go back even further. Sky Germany had Liverpool down as wanting Zakaria over two years ago and it was always a transfer that made some sense. Zakaria is a good player, after all.
The Reds will head in a different direction, though. Arthur is their man, a player who Juventus aren’t quite as keen on losing. That’s how we’re reading the lack of buying clause, anyway. Chelsea were able to secure one, Liverpool weren’t.
Even if Jurgen Klopp isn’t convinced about the player, it makes sense to include one if possible. Arthur may well shine brightly at Anfield but Liverpool wouldn’t find it easy to sign him. The better he does, the more likely they are to negotiate with Juventus. But the better he does, the harder it will be to negotiate with Juventus.
What is clear, though, is that Liverpool have picked a big talent in Arthur. We think his upside is far superior to Zakaria’s, even if he’s a little more risky.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
