Premier League giants Liverpool may have missed out on a midfield target with FC Basel star Andy Diouf reportedly agreeing a £13 million move to Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens.
If confirmation of Alexis Mac Allister’s bargain £35 million arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion almost a month ago felt like Liverpool going from nought to 60 at the start of the transfer window, then the subsequent three weeks have seen Jurgen Klopp’s plans splutter and stall quicker than a rusty old Ford Escort trundling into in a motorway layby.
Mac Allister remains Liverpool’s only signing so far this summer.
The Merseysiders have given up on Mason Mount, walked away from Jude Bellingham, and have been priced out of contention for the likes of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo too. What’s more, since Fabrizio Romano reported on June 8th that Liverpool had scheduled talks with the agents of Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram, there appears to have been little movement on either of those deals too.
Liverpool still need more midfielders
Missing out on young Andy Diouf might not elicit quite so much hand-wringing – at least when compared to the likes of Bellingham and Caicedo – but his impending move to Lens leaves the shelf even more bare as Klopp looks to counter the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita and Arthur Melo.
Corriere dello Sport say that Liverpool sent scouts to watch Diouf; Basel reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League last season. Like fellow France U21 stars Kone and Thuram; 20-year-old Diouf possesses both ability and athleticism.
A barn-storming ball-carrier who scored three goals and set up seven more during an outstanding campaign at St Jakob’s Park.
L’Equipe, however, report that a £13 million fee has now been agreed with Lens. Diouf could be unveiled at the Ligue 1 runners up as early as Friday; his arrival helping fill a not-inconsiderable void created by the heartbreaking loss of captain Seko Fofana to Saudi Arabia.
“Honestly? I don’t give a damn about that!” Diouf told Watson earlier this month when asked about the rumours linking him with a summer move to one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
“I can concentrate well on football and stay calm.
“I’m pleased about (Basel signing me). This season, I was able to develop well. I got a lot of playing time and was able to show all my qualities in the Swiss league and in Europe.”
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