Liverpool are lining up a move for highly-rated midfielder Kerem Demirbay, as per reports. Demirbay’s performances have attracted interest from clubs across Europe this season, with the 24-year-old impressing in his time at Hoffenheim.
According to Tribuna, the German is represented by the same agency as both Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, and that could see Liverpool have an upper hand over other clubs trying to sign the player who has a €32m release clause.
Another reason for the Reds to pursue a deal for Demirbay is that the club are yet to reach an agreement with midfielder Emre Can.
Can, who scored last night in the 3-0 win against Huddersfield Town, has only six months left on his current contract which expires in the summer. This means that he would be a free agent in the summer and Jurgen Klopp could lose the midfielder for absolutely nothing should the club fail to come to an agreement on a new deal.
Given that Can is out of contract at the end of the season, Juventus are reportedly keeping tabs on the player and are firm favourites to take him to Turin on a free transfer. Naby Keita is set to join Liverpool in the summer, but if Can decides to leave, it would create a big hole in the midfield and Klopp would then have to search for a replacement.
If that’s the case, Demirbay emerges as an option to replace his fellow countryman. Although the 24-year-old has failed to live up to the standards he had set last season, he has scored 2 goals and provided an assist in 14 appearances in all competitions this season.
The midfielder has a release clause of €32m, which won’t be a problem if Liverpool do decide to trigger it at the end of the season. Given the war-chest we have following the sale of Coutinho, our club won’t be facing any financial hiccup should Klopp become determined to sign Demirbay after the end of the season.
Despite being a box-to-box midfielder like Can, Demirbay is technically gifted and lacks the aggressive presence of his compatriot. No doubting the Hoffenheim man’s talent but there are chances that he could struggle in the Premier League.
On the whole, if Klopp decides to replace Can with Demirbay, I feel it won’t be a good decision.
