Transfer News: Liverpool to join the race for Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka
According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sports Witness) [h/t Liverpool Echo], Liverpool are set to join the race for talented Slovakian midfielder Stanislav Lobotka from Napoli but a move is said to be difficult.
Lobotka has been solid for the Italian club for quite some time now. He joined the club from Celta Vigo in 2020 and has since then been extremely impressive during his time at Naples.
The 27-year-old is not young by any means and is in the prime years of his career. The Slovakian is predominantly a defensive midfielder but can also play in central midfield at times.
Lobotka has played 14 games for the club across all competitions this season scoring one goal and providing one assist. He has won 41 caps for his national team until now netting thrice on the international stage as well.
It is however being claimed that even if Liverpool want to sign the player, it is going to be far from easy with the Reds said to need to do a lot of convincing to let Napoli part ways with the player.
Lobotka has just penned a new deal with the club that goes on till 2025 (transfermarkt) and the Italian club might not want to part ways with the player. It could however be set to change when a club like Liverpool come calling.
Liverpool have been looking for a midfielder for quite some time now. However, it is not very clear why they are interested in Lobotka whose preference is to play in a holding midfield role and we have enough depth there.
It seems unlikely that Lobotka can replace Fabinho in the holding role in the long term. Liverpool would be better off going for some other player who can play a box-to-box role in midfield.
More Liverpool News
- Jurgen Klopp believes it was the correct decision to rule out Phil Foden’s goal
- Luis Figo talks about his potential transfer to Liverpool and how the club botched the chance to sign him
- Manchester City star Bernardo Silva slams referee Anthony Taylor for Phil Foden’s disallowed goal vs Liverpool
Regardless, it remains to be seen who the Reds sign. There is no doubt that they will sign a midfielder but it remains to be seen who Jurgen Klopp goes for.
