Arnaut Danjuma reveals Liverpool interest and would ‘consider’ transfer offer as Man Utd join chase
Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma has confirmed that Liverpool are keen on him, amid further reports of Manchester United interest.
The 25-year-old has risen to prominence with his La Liga employers, subsequently attracting interest. He was at Bournemouth before his move to Spain but has become an in-demand attacker since then.
Indeed, Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Danjuma’s progress as they ponder a swoop.
Danjuma has five years left on his Villarreal contract, but has now revealed that he could move on this summer.
The Netherlands international told Ziggo Sport: “I’m always as honest as possible about it: I’ve never had contact with clubs or anything like that during the season.
“I always know about my situation after the season; I don’t want to be involved in it at all during the season. But I have been informed that Liverpool were following me closely.
“I will never lie: I think it’s a bad quality if you’re not ambitious. And if a club came along that offered me a higher platform to play on sport-wise, I would always have to consider it.”
Liverpool are plotting a move for a new winger amid doubt over Sadio Mane’s future at Anfield.
The Senegal international will reportedly tell the Reds that, having won everything available to him at Liverpool, he wants a new challenge. What’s more, Liverpool are bracing themselves for contact from Bayern Munich.
However, the Premier League club supposedly want a replacement lined up for if 120-goal star Mane does leave.
Meanwhile, reports on Monday revealed that Man Utd are also keeping tabs on Danjuma. The six-cap Netherlands international has a €45million (£38.8million) release clause in his deal.
While Danjuma was a United target until Jadon Sancho arrived, they have not forgotten about him and have noticed his excellent progression with Villarreal.
Liverpool perfect for Danjuma after Mane
Danjuma has only just completed his debut season at Villarreal and contributed 16 goals and four assists in 34 appearances.
Eight of those outings came on the left wing, with a further 18 as a centre-forward.
And Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has got the best out of current star Mane in both of those positions.
Mane started out on the right wing, but moved to the left in 2017 after Mohamed Salah’s arrival. He has recently adopted a striker’s role to accommodate for Luis Diaz, who has now taken over the left wing role.
The fact that Danjuma can play on the left and through the middle is a big plus for Liverpool and Klopp as they look to further evolve their front line.
United are still looking to get the best out of £73million man Sancho and so they should let Erik ten Hag work on the England international.
However, Liverpool’s need for a new attacker would become greater if Mane left and Danjuma looks the perfect fit.
At 25, he is the same age as Diaz and Diogo Jota, who have recently reshaped the Reds’ attack. Danjuma could therefore make it three new signings ready to take the club into the future.
