Transfer News: Liverpool have ‘huge’ interest in Austrian ace with £25m release clause

Transfer News: Liverpool want to sign Hoffenheim star Christoph Baumgartner

According to German outlet Sport Bild (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have a ‘huge’ interest in signing TSG Hoffenheim midfielder, Christoph Baumgartner.

Manchester United, Leicester City, and La Liga side Sevilla are also linked with a move for the 22-year-old Austrian international. He apparently has a £25million release clause in his contract and signed a new deal just last year.

According to the Mirror, as covered by TheKopTimes in July 2021, Baumgartner was linked with a move to Liverpool last year as well after he had an impressive campaign at the UEFA Euros. However, he has remained at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena but could be on the move in the near future.

The youngster plays as a central attacking midfielder for the Bundesliga side and has plied his trade in Germany ever since his move from his native country back in 2017. He currently has 6 goals and 1 assist in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

What next for Baumgartner and LFC?

But do Liverpool really need him? Given his age and talent, perhaps the Reds would be smart to sign a player of his profile. A young attacking midfielder who has experience playing in the German top-flight, he currently plays for the same team that sold us Roberto Firmino back in 2015.

Giorgino Wijnaldum was an ever-present in Jurgen Klopp’s team and left for PSG last summer. While Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner continue to be dependable, they aren’t getting any younger.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s lack of minutes this year despite our congested fixture list shows how little faith Klopp has in him now. In such an instance, signing an exciting young number 10 would probably go down well with the fans.

And to some extent, it would future-proof our midfield. We have the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones that are earmarked to become important first-team members. Fabio Carvalho of Fulham could join the English duo in the near future, and potentially adding Baumgartner’s name to the list would certainly come as a boost for us.

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It remains to be seen if the Austrian leaves the German side in the near future and if he does, what reassurances he would need in order to choose his next destination. Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world and would guarantee UEFA Champions League football next term, but given the quality of midfielders at our disposal right now, he may struggle to break into our XI right this instant.