Liverpool tried to sign Belgian starlet Jeremy Doku two years ago
According to Kristof Terreur of HLN (h/t Liverpool Echo), reigning Premier League champions Liverpool tried to sign Belgian youth sensation Jeremy Doku almost two years ago.
The 18-year-old forward was given his first ever cap by Roberto Martinez for the Belgium on the weekend, when he was thrown on as a substitute in the final two minutes of the win against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
His first start for Belgium followed soon as he given a full ninety minutes in attack on Tuesday evening against Iceland – a fixture in which he bagged the final goal as well.
And now, Terreur has revealed that Liverpool had tried to sign him from Anderlecht a couple of years ago. In fact, the journalist even quoted the youngster claiming that he had been given a tour of our club’s training ground. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
“They invited my parents and me for a stadium tour and a visit to the training ground. Mane talked to me and Klopp showed interest too.”
Despite interest in his services, Doku’s decision was to stay at Anderlecht and gain further experience. Speaking on the matter, Kristof Terreur said that the Reds were so keen on the youngster that they added a ‘Doku Clause’ into the contract they agreed with Anderlecht for the transfer of midfielder Lazar Markovic. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
Herman Van Holsbeek, who was the general manager of the Belgian club at the time, was also quick to take notice of Liverpool’s peculiar contract term. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
“We didn’t have a choice. Liverpool told us: you can loan Markovic, but we want to talk to Doku.”
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Whether or not Doku is fit for a league as gritty and competitive as the English top-flight remains to be seen. But the sheer fact that Klopp was personally interested in him highlights the quality that he’s got.
The international goal on his full debut was a further indicator of just what Doku can bring to the table, and considering the slow transfer window that Liverpool have been having, a move for Doku could be in the best interest of all the parties involved.
