Over the last month or so, Jurgen Klopp had been strongly linked to making Ajax youngster Riechedly Bazoer a Liverpool player this summer. Those rumours have since been killed by the midfielder’s pledge to stay in the Dutch capital until 2020, but that doesn’t mean that the Reds can’t still raid Frank de Boer’s side for fresh talent with a revived bid for Anwar El Ghazi.
Despite heavy speculation surrounding a potential £8m transfer, Ajax stood firm to keep hold of their 20-year-old star in January. However, it seems almost inevitable that the quick winger will be moving on this summer. Could he be the perfect addition for Klopp’s revolution?
There’s no secret that our right wing has been a slightly problematic area of the pitch this season. Nobody has managed to make the role their own and Klopp will be eager to solve that issue. The Reds do have options in the form of James Milner, Jordan Ibe and Adam Lallana, but none of those players provides a regular source of goals from the wing. If El Ghazi could replicate his current scoring record in the Premier League, he’d be a very welcomed addition.
El Ghazi isn’t the finished product, and onlinewedden.com have cited a lack of defensive maturity as a slight cause for concern. However, the Ajax man bleeds energy. Should he be willing to learn and develop his game, he could adapt to fit the gurgenpress puzzle.
With a valuation of roughly £10m, the Dutch international wouldn’t be the biggest signing of the summer. However, Klopp is looking to build a dynasty at Anfield. The club has already benefitted from the German’s immediate tactical impact, but the fast approaching summer of activity should take the excitement to another level. The 48-year-old will want to bring success in 2016/17, but he’ll also have one eye focused on more permanent results too. With those sentiments in mind, El Ghazi could actually be a far better investment than the aforementioned Bazoer. Not least because of the price
Liverpool have certainly seen the best and worst of Dutch attacking stars in recent years. If El Ghazi does join, let’s just hope he’s more Dirk Kuyt than Ryan Babel.
If there’s only one Eredivisie youngster that’s already prepared for life at a club as big as Anfield, then it has to be El Ghazi. Would he emulate the quality of our last signing from Ajax? Probably not. But for a relatively modest fee in todays market, he would be a useful member for Klopp’s new look squad for next season.
He could be a very worthy investment indeed.