Transfer Gossip: Liverpool swoop for dynamic dribbler as Klopp keeps up attacker chase; Tottenham reject wanted by Crystal Palace
Liverpool are still in the picture for a long-term attacking target, while a Tottenham reject is wanted elsewhere in London, and Brighton could break their transfer record for the second time this summer – all in Wednesday’s transfer gossip.
DOKU DEAL STILL ON LIVERPOOL AGENDA
Rennes attacker Jeremy Doku remains of interest to Liverpool for one key reason, according to a French report.
Liverpool almost lured in Doku back in 2017 when he was still a youngster. However, he has instead embarked on a career that has taken in Anderlecht and Rennes so far.
Links with Liverpool have never faded through the years, even when they have invested in other wingers like him.
And the first indication that a Liverpool move for Doku could still be on the cards in 2023 has come from L’Equipe.
The French sports paper has revealed that Doku is still rated highly by Liverpool, even though he has only scored 11 goals from 90 appearances for Rennes since joining them in 2020.
One of the main reasons Liverpool like the look of Doku is his dribbling ability, which could add a new dimension to Jurgen Klopp’s attack.
Liverpool already have Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo as their main wingers, although the latter began to feature more centrally towards the back end of last season and may continue to do so now that Roberto Firmino is moving on.
Salah also seems committed to Liverpool still, despite claims he could eventually end up in Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, Liverpool aren’t in desperate need for a player of Doku’s characteristics. It might be better for them to continue focusing on adding to their midfield.
But given the numbers he has put up for Rennes, Doku might only be a backup option for Liverpool anyway. Therefore, he could come in to put pressure on the starting attackers, especially considering that someone like Fabio Carvalho is due to head out on loan.
Rennes still have Doku, a full Belgium international, under contract for another couple of seasons. However, L’Equipe claims his future there has become uncertain.
A move abroad could beckon, with Liverpool one of the clubs waiting in the wings.
CRYSTAL PALACE KEEN ON DANJUMA
After Tottenham rejected the chance to sign Arnaut Danjuma on a permanent basis after his loan spell, Crystal Palace have become contenders for the winger.
Palace’s interest was shared by The Sun journalist Jack Rosser on Tuesday and has since been backed up in a report by Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail.
According to Rosser, Danjuma is expected to get another chance in the Premier League. It would take a bid of £25m for Villarreal to sell the former Bournemouth winger, but they could yet loan him out again.
That may suit Palace, for whom funds would be tight without selling players, per the Mail.
The more recent report also claims Everton’s Demarai Gray is a target for Palace on the wings. They are in the market for a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who is about to become a free agent.
Gray is also under consideration by Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League. At this stage of his career, though, he may want to keep playing in the Premier League.
Whether Palace would be willing to sign both Danjuma and Gray, or are viewing them as alternative targets, remains to be seen.
BRIGHTON BATTLE FOR KUDUS
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has also revealed that Brighton are in talks with Ajax about signing Mohammed Kudus.
The attacking midfielder has been tipped to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Man Utd, but Brighton have become serious contenders to sign him instead.
The Seagulls have discovered, though, that they would have to break their transfer record – which was only just set with the addition of Joao Pedro from Watford – in order to land Kudus.
Indeed, Ajax are holding out for a fee in the region of £40m for Kudus, despite his clear intention to leave the club after rejecting a contract extension.
Brighton cashed in on Alexis Mac Allister recently by selling him to Liverpool and are now bracing themselves for interest in Moises Caicedo.
If the second major sale of their summer goes through, they will be able to reinvest in their squad. After all, they are preparing to compete in next season’s Europa League on top of their domestic duties.
