Lens defender Loic Bade is a summer target for Liverpool but, speaking to Score, the talented centre-back opted to namedrop Premier League rivals Manchester City instead.
Now, that doesn’t mean Jurgen Klopp, Michael Edwards and co should admit defeat and turn their attention to what we can only assume is a lengthy list of alternative options.
Bade hasn’t ruled out a switch to the reigning Premier League champions. Far from it.
The 20-year-old, one of Ligue 1’s breakthrough stars, is as ambitious as he is talented and, if Liverpool come calling during the summer transfer window, Bade would surely waste no time in signing on the dotted line.
But, when asked about a potential departure from a high-flying Lens team, the 6ft 3in powerhouse mentioned only one Premier League club by name – and it wasn’t the Merseyside giants.
“There are clubs that make you dream, but there isn’t one that makes me dream more than another. Of course, there are Real Madrid, Manchester City – they’re all big clubs – but I don’t have one where I would have liked to go,” says Bade who, despite his obvious affection for Pep Guardiola’s runaway league leaders, is keeping his options open.
Lens are fifth in Ligue 1 and look set to qualify for the Europa League just one year after sealing promotion from the second tier.
With Le10 Sport reporting Liverpool are one of a number of clubs interested, it seems unlikely Bade will be playing continental football with the Sang et Or in 2021/22.
Then again, with Ozan Kabak starting to impress on loan from Schalke and The Athletic reporting Ibrahima Konate may be about to arrive from RB Leipzig, will there be any room at the Anfield inn for Bade?
Keeping his options open may be the right decision after all.
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