Liverpool may not have uprooted too many trees in the transfer market in the summer, but they are certainly flying high under the new regime right now.
However, they are in need of some reinforcement in the middle of the pitch, and if reports are to be believed, one former Arne Slot player is keen to reunite with the Dutchman, and that could solve a lot of issues for the Reds.
Liverpool to try get Orkun Kökçü for less than release clause value
As reported by Football Insider, Benfica midfielder Orkun Kökçü is “interested” in reuniting with Arne Slot at Anfield.
The 23-year-old Türkiye international, who lifted the Eredivisie title alongside the Dutchman last year as Feyenoord captain, is now plying his trade in the Primeira Liga and continues building upon his reputation as one of the hottest young midfield prospects in Europe.
The versatile midfielder has four goals and three assists from 13 appearances this season as Benfica lie third in the league table, eight points from the top with a game in hand.
Kökçü has a €120m release clause in his €3m-per-year Benfica contract which runs until June 2028, though the Águias may let him leave for around €80 million, as reported by Sport Witness.
A stylistic fit, but…
Liverpool need to reinforce themselves in the central midfield department, and few would fit that mould better than Kökçü, who has already led a Slot side on the pitch, is young, and will settle in the pivot quicker than his alternatives.
However, we have seen with the recent examples of João Neves and Enzo Fernández that Benfica are more than able to stand firm on their high demands, and even if Liverpool could avoid paying the €120m release clause, the purported €80m fee would also add substantial pressure on both the player and the club and hamper their chances and even change what success would mean for the two.
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Also, matters like these usually get swatted aside but it needs to be pointed out that Kökçü has in the past refused to wear a rainbow armband in support of the LGBTQIA+ community due to religious reasons. More than most other clubs, Liverpool in their capacity as a community institution take a lot of pride in presenting themselves as custodians and proponents of virtue. How much would they really want someone like Kökçü to represent them?
