da bet nacional： Liverpool fans will be more than familiar with the name Mahmoud Dahoud.
da bwin： Due to the presence of Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are linked with practically every Bundesliga youngster to produce a streak of half-decent form and the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is no different.
Indeed, recent reports from Germany have claimed Klopp is preparing a £26million bid for the January transfer window – seemingly keen to bolster a Liverpool squad that is currently top of the Premier League table.
But in a hammer blow to those reported plans, Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl has insisted the in-demand Dahoud won’t be going anywhere in the new year.
As translated by The Daily Star, he told Kicker…
“There is a zero per cent chance that Mahmoud will leave in January. There is no offer for him on the table from any club and we have not had any offers for him in the past either. It is the club’s desire to extend his contract. We have not opened talks yet, but that will soon happen.”
But should Klopp be that keen to sign a midfielder in January, Dahoud is by no means the only option on the market.
We’ve taken a look at four like-minded alternatives Klopp should consider for the coming transfer window, meeting our Dahoud-esque criteria of young, dynamic, midfielders overflowing with potential.
Franck Kessie
Compared to African midfield powerhouses Michael Essien and Yaya Toure, Franck Kessie is developing quite the reputation for himself in Serie A.
Indeed, the 19-year-old, already capped by the Ivory Coast at senior level, has begun the campaign with a flurry, netting four times in ten Serie A appearances amid Atalanta’s rise to fifth place.
Measuring in at 6 foot, Kessie’s fundamental strength remains his physicality. But its combined with an impressive footballing brain, the technique to match and the consequential ability to influence at both ends of the pitch – averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.1 created chances per match.
However, recent reports from TuttoSport claim Juventus are closing in on a January deal for the teenager.
Yunus Malli
Mahmoud Dahoud’s impressive rise in the Bundesliga has been somewhat paralleled by Yunus Malli, who’s been putting in similar kinds of performances at Mainz.
Indeed, the Turkey international has been making fantastic goalscoring contributions from midfield, notching up 16 goals from his last 44 Bundesliga outings – including five strikes already this season.
The 24-year-old doesn’t offer as much protection defensively, as more of a No.10 than a No.8, but he’s still a hard worker and a mobile midfielder who appears to be edging towards his peak years.
Furthermore, Jurgen Klopp’s Mainz connections could pay off dividends when attempting to negotiate a January deal.
Ruben Neves
No stranger to Liverpool’s transfer rumour columns, Ruben Neves remains one of world football’s most promising young central midfielders.
Indeed, the 19-year-old is already FC Porto’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Primeira Liga, the youngest captain in Champions League history and a fully-fledged Portugal international with two caps to date.
Its the calmness and maturity Neves demonstrates on the pitch that has earned him such acclaim, with former team-mate Cristian Tello even comparing him to Barcelona’s iconic midfield anchor Sergio Busquets.
Klopp seems more keen on dynamic box-to-box options but nonetheless, Neves would be a solid long-term investment for the Merseysiders.
Leon Goretzka
A phenomenal young talent seemingly blessed with a bit of everything, Jurgen Klopp will be well aware of Leon Goretzka’s ability – having watched him progress from the other side of the Dortmund-Schalke divide.
Indeed, the midfielder can be deployed in offensive, defensive or wide capacities and is a real mixed bag with physicality, technical prowess, goal threat and tactical awareness in equal measure – some even comparing him to Germany great Michael Ballack.
Goretzka’s highly experienced too, already making over 100 appearances at senior level despite only turning 21 in February, and seems a good fit for the robust nature of the Premier League.
With his current contract due to expire in summer 2018, Liverpool have a good chance of prising him from Schalke in the coming transfer windows.