Reported Liverpool transfer target Youssoufa Moukoko looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Moukoko is out of contract at the end of the season and is locked in talks with his club over an extension. But as per 90min, those talks look ‘increasingly likely’ to fail.
Dortmund are said to be ‘struggling’ to meet the 18-year-old’s wage demands. With the club already putting an offer of around £135k-a-week to Moukoko, the teenager is reportedly looking for something closer to £180k-a-week.
The player is also said to be asking for the inclusion of a ‘suitable’ release clause in his contract. As things stand, 90min claim that the two parties are ‘not close’ to agreeing this figure.
As a result, rival clubs are starting to gain confidence. Chelsea and Newcastle United have both reportedly ‘held talks’ with Moukoko. Meanwhile Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have ‘asked to be kept abreast’ of the situation. The Germany star’s wage demands would likely ‘not be an issue’ for Premier League sides.
But they’ll supposedly have to fend off interest from the continent to sign Moukoko. All of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Bayern Munich are also said to be in the running.
Moukoko not a priority for Liverpool
Judging by noises coming out of the media over the last few weeks, Moukoko won’t be a Dortmund player for too much longer.
From the German’s point of view, this is a rare faux paus. Usually so good at selling their top assets on their own terms, they look set to lose out on a big transfer fee for Moukoko.
That is unless they decide to cut their losses and sell him on this month. Should they do that, it would seem that Liverpool wouldn’t be near the front of the queue, though.
And nor should they be, truthfully. Having just signed Cody Gakpo, Liverpool don’t have much immediate need to bring in another forward.
Squad improvements are always welcome though, and Moukoko would be too. As per FourFourTwo’s recent profile on him, the teenager is an ‘astonishing’ talent.
But right now, he isn’t quite what Liverpool need. That may change in the summer though, with Roberto Firmino’s future still undecided. So, if the Reds can outgun their rivals in the off-season brilliant. If they lose out though, we won’t be crying too hard.
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