It’s going to be quite tricky to find value in the transfer market this summer.
Average players are going to be sold for huge sums. Without meaning to be detrimental to a Liverpool player, the fact Marko Grujic is valued at £35m [Independent] proves how simply showing potential will be enough for clubs to splash out serious money on targets.
So that’s why when a player like Hakim Ziyech is available for just £25m, Liverpool should take notice.
Dave Maddock from the Mirror discussed the Morocco international’s release-clause on Twitter yesterday, with plenty of fans agreeing with him that we’d be wise to consider a deal.
Amazing talent, and interesting note: Lyon had lined Ziyech up as Nabil Fekir's direct replacement last summer, until the French international's deal with #LFC collapsed at the last second. Ziyech has £25m buy out clause in contract that can be activated this summer. https://t.co/Ab7DkzKZxR
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) April 23, 2019
This season, the 25-year-old has scored 20 goals for Ajax and registered 20 assists across all competitions.
The Eredivisie is obviously not a first-rate competition, but the fact Ziyech also has four goals in the Champions League suggests he’s not merely a Vincent Janssen-esque Netherlands stat padder!
What we like about Ziyech is that he’s positionally versatile – and can play on the flanks in a 4-3-3 or in a more withdrawn offensive midfield role.
In this respect, he’d be excellent cover for Mo Salah and Sadio Mane next season – both of whom have avoided injury this term despite playing nearly every important match.
We do have Xherdan Shaqiri, but the Swiss has seemingly not impressed Jurgen Klopp since around Christmas, as he’s barely featured this calendar year.
On top of Ziyech, we’d like the club to consider Julian Brandt, whose release-clause is even more of a bargain £20m if Bayer Leverkusen miss out on the Champions League, which looks likely.