A source claims that Liverpool might make a January offer for PSV player Johan Bakayoko in order to satisfy their “concrete” interest in the Brentford target.
The Premier League showed a lot of interest in Bakayoko during the summer transfer window. Liverpool were frequently listed as prospective suitors, but Brentford made a firm offer for the winger.
In light of a prospective January bid, Football Insider has now confirmed Liverpool is ‘doing their due diligence’ on Bakayoko. The 20-year-old is believed to be of “concrete interest” to them.
Bakayoko made the decision to remain with PSV last month after they advanced to the group round of the Champions League. But if they don’t go to the knockout round, he might reevaluate his options in January.
Liverpool might be prepared to sign Bakayoko by then. They are one of five Premier League clubs that are keeping an eye on him, in fact.
After being willing to break their transfer record to sign the Belgian international, Brentford might still be in the running. As previously indicated, a lot will rely on how PSV does in Europe as to whether he moves.
He was nurtured at their system and currently has a contract with the Eindhoven club till 2026. He has made 45 appearances at the senior level and has contributed 10 assists and 7 goals.
Arsenal, Sevilla, and Lens are also in their Champions League group with them. Over the past couple of seasons, Bakayoko has participated in UEFA’s premier tournament five times, but he has not yet scored there.
Could Liverpool’s Bakayoko take Salah’s place?
Any move by Liverpool for Bakayoko, a left-footed player who plays on the right wing, might have an impact on Mohamed Salah’s future. When Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia expressed interest in signing their fifth-best scorer of all time earlier this month, Jurgen Klopp’s team objected.
They turned down offers up to £215 million in part because they wouldn’t have been able to find a replacement right away. Liverpool may need to reevaluate their position if Salah has new admirers in the Saudi Pro League in January.
When the time comes, they at least have a window of opportunity to keep an eye on a few prospective targets who might take Salah’s place in the future.
They might be purchasing a winger from PSV for the second consecutive winter if Bakayoko turns out to be their guy in January. They enticed Cody Gakpo from the same Dutch team to Anfield in the beginning of 2023.
Gakpo’s exit brought in a club-record price for PSV, but it’s unclear how much they might fetch for Bakayoko in the future.
Gakpo and Bakayoko previously met at PSV, where they shared a pitch 12 times. They might get a chance to meet up again in Liverpool now.
In the meantime, Liverpool is now the front-runner to sign Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.
