Liverpool scout €80m midfielder Orkun Kokcu

Liverpool have barely made any signings since Arne Slot took over the reins at Anfield Stadium, and the Reds have started laying blueprints for the 2025 transfer windows to bring in faces that the Dutch coach prefers and the ones that fit his system. The Merseyside Reds are looking at Dutch-born Turkish playmaker Orkun Kokcu, per a report by Record, as relayed by Sport Witness.

Kokcu currently plays in the Portuguese league with SL Benfica, and the Reds scouts were in the audience looking at the 23-year-old in their Champions League win (4-0) over Atletico Madrid.

Orkun Kokcu has been a highly regarded player since his time at Feyenoord, and he has been one of Europe’s most productive players for a while. To put things into perspective, he rose through the ranks at the Dutch side to be appointed the captain and went to achieve multiple things at the Rotterdam-based club. However, his stint in the Netherlands top tier concluded last summer when he moved to Benfica in July 2023.

The 23-year-old has gone from stride to stride since moving away from Sportcomplex Varkenoord.

Liverpool set to pursue Benfica’s Kokcu

Liverpool eyeing Turkish midfield maestro — Dutch-Born midfielder Kokcu could join Reds in 2025

And now Liverpool are chasing his signatures. The Reds do have Dominik Szoboszlai in the playmaking role at the club; however, his output hasn’t been as influential as expected, and the club is looking to add quality and depth to the position. Moreover, Kokcu has a versatile profile who can play different roles in the middle of the park.

That being said, Kokcu’s services would not come cheap as he has a €150 million release clause in his contract with his current employers; however, Benfica would be ready to cash in on him for €80 million.