Liverpool are reportedly going back to sign Jeremy Doku.
Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer of the 20-year-old Rennes winger who was invited to Anfield four years ago, as covered by HITC Sport.
Doku had a chance to sign for Liverpool and even spoke with Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane about a transfer to the Reds.
However, the young attacker elected to stay with Belgian outfit Anderlecht instead.
But snubbing Liverpool on that occasion hasn’t come back to bite Doku, who is now linked with a move to Merseyside again.
According to Calciomercato, Klopp ‘will return’ to sign the Antwerp-born winger, who signed for the Ligue 1 outfit two years ago.
The report from Italy doesn’t specify when Liverpool hope to sign the youngster, though.
Klopp is probably going to need a long-term successor for Mohamed Salah on the right-hand side of his attack.
Obviously Doku is nowhere near Salah’s level, but the latter is turning 31 next year and no doubt his powers will begin to decline, beginning with his speed.
The German manager has a successor for Sadio Mane in the form of Luis Diaz, even if this season he is struggling to replace the now-Bayern player’s goals.
Salah, on the other hand, is another conversation entirely.
Of course, Liverpool may look to a bonafide superstar when it comes to the impossible task of replacing the Egypt international.
But Julian Ward learnt his craft from Michael Edwards on Merseyside and under him, there was a clear strategy focusing on the acquisition of young players in the hope that they can be world beaters, rather than signing ready-made A-listers.
And if Ward’s mandate remains the same as his predecessor, well Doku might well fit the bill.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
