The reported Liverpool target moved to Bournemouth from Leeds United in a deal said to be worth an initial £6 million in July 2016.
According to the Sun on Sunday [February 25th, page 64], Liverpool want Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook to replace Emre Can in a £20 million deal, having tracked him since his 2016 transfer from Leeds United.
The report claims Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking at his options, with Can’s contract expiring at the end of the season and the German midfielder ‘set to join’ Juventus.
Reds scouts are said to have watched Cook in what has been an impressive first full season at Premier League level for the Leeds academy product.
The 21-year-old, who helped Bournemouth come back to draw 2-2 against Newcastle United on Saturday, was called into Gareth Southgate’s England squad last November.
Quick profit for Bournemouth (and more money for Leeds?)
According to the Guardian, the Cherries paid an initial £6 million for Cook, with Leeds potentially due another £4 million in add-ons.
And given how much Liverpool have spent on players recently [around £75 million apiece on Naby Keita and Virgil van Dijk] Eddie Howe’s side would be wise to push for more than £20 million should a Reds approach come in.
That could also spell good news for Leeds, who surely had the foresight to include a sell-on clause in the deal to take Cook to Dean Court.
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