Liverpool’s search for a left-back could land them in Germany all over again. While the Reds have been linked with a move for Koln’s Jonas Hector, Sport Bild reports that Jurgen Klopp would be looking to sign another young defender on a free transfer.
Sead Kolasinac is the player in question and his contract runs out with Schalke at the end of the season. This would mean the Reds could sign him on a free and he would join his former teammate Joel Matip at Anfield, should Klopp seal the deal quickly.
The same outlet also reports that Pep Guardiola is also after the signing and the 23-year-old defender could be a long-term solution for both clubs’ defensive issues.
Jurgen Klopp to wield his magic again?
Kolasinac might not be the highest rated Bundesliga defender but he is getting better with each game under his belt. The Bosnian international has already scored twice this season and also chipped in with four assists in the Bundesliga.
There is one factor as to why both Guardiola and Klopp want to sign him and that is his ability to play higher up the pitch. The 23-year-old has played as a winger in many games this season and his versatility would come in hand for both managers.
Liverpool do need a quality defender as a left-back, they have struggled with Alberto Moreno in the past and his place was taken up by James Milner this season. Though the Englishman plays mostly in defence, he has done a fairly decent job, although he was caught out a couple of times in the 4-3 loss at the hands of Bournemouth.
While Klopp could have the upper hand when it comes to signing players from the Bundesliga, the attraction of playing for Pep Guardiola also is hard to resist. The pair of managers had often taken on each other during their time in the Bundesliga and it will be interesting to see just who gets this signing.
Transfermarkt believes the 23-year-old is worth €6million, which is a fair value at the moment. But getting him on a free would be a coup for either club. We can’t rule out the fact that Sead might end up signing a new deal with Schalke but moving to Liverpool or to Manchester City does seem a better option.
Liverpool do have a bit of an edge as they are in desperate need of a left-back and Sead could end up playing in the first team from day one, thus freeing James Milner. Hopefully, the Reds will be able to sign him up and solve at least one major problem in the side, the other being the goalkeeping issue.