Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt would love to see the Premier League giants take a close look at Feyenoord’s Eredivisie stars with Orkun Kokcu one who seems ready for a big-money move.
The nature of Dutch football dictates that, pretty much every summer, even the Eredivisie’s ‘big three’ lose a sizeable portion of their playing staff. Feyenoord only need look at Der Klassiker rivals Ajax, however, to realise what can happen when you sell one or two players too many.
Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Perr Schuurs, Nicolas Tagliafico, Noussair Mazraoui and Andre Onana – almost an entire starting XI of talent – departed the Johan Cryuff Arena. That’s without mentioning esteemed director Marc Overmars or talismanic head coach Erik ten Hag.
So while Feyenoord could probably survive losing a Kokcu, a Santiago Gimenez or a David Hancko, the runaway leaders would risk taking a sledgehammer to the walls of their own kingdom if they allow a fantastic squad to be ripped apart within the space of one summer.
Could Liverpool make a move for Feyenoord’s Orkun Kokcu?
“I am a Feyenoord man. They are doing very well at the moment,” says Kuyt; captain as Rotterdam outfit won their only league title this century back in 2017.
“They have a very good manager in Arne Slot. Some of the younger guys like Orkun Kokcu and Lutsharel Geertruida are playing very well. It won’t take long for the interest of top European teams to be there for them.
“I hope Liverpool is interested in Feyenoord players. I am an example (that) it can work!”
The £30 million-rated Kokcu is rapidly blossoming into one of Europe’s most talented young midfielders. Manchester United are big admirers. But North West neighbours Liverpool may make a move of their own, Jurgen Klopp now scouring the market for affordable Jude Bellingham alternatives.
“When I was the U19 coach (at Feyenoord), Kokcu and Geertruida were in my team,” Kuyt tells the Liverpool Echo.
“You know who the talented players are, and you can see they are going to have big futures. Gakpo was a great talent. Everyone knew from watching him at youth level that he would one day play for a club like Liverpool.”
Liverpool have already hi-jacked Man United’s move for a leading Eredivisie talent this year; Gakpo arriving at Anfield in January with Erik ten Hag settling for a short-term loan deals.
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