Report: Liverpool hold advantage in race to sign £50m player who's tipped to be as good as Luka Modric
11/21/2024 11:00 AM
Liverpool look likely to be in the market for a new midfielder at some stage in 2025.
The Reds famously tried to sign Martin Zubimendi over the summer and have not gone after an alternative after missing out on the Spaniard.
And while the Liverpool midfield has been excellent over the early parts of the season, the feeling remains that Arne Slot would like to bolster it in some way next year.
Whether that is in January or not remains to be seen, although it still looks possible that Liverpool will come back in for Zubimendi.
In the meantime, the media have continued to link Liverpool with plenty of other midfielders.
One who has been mentioned a number of times has been Benfica’s Orkun Kokcu. And it seems as though those rumours are not going away.
Liverpool firmly in the hunt for Orkun Kokcu
Kokcu was of course Slot’s captain during his Eredivisie winning season with Feyenoord.
Despite having since joined Benfica, Kokcu has publicly praised Slot for the time they spent together in the Netherlands.
With the Liverpool head coach potentially looking for a more advanced midfielder, as well as a defensive-minded one, the 23-year-old would look like a good fit.
And according to Caught Offside, there is plenty of interest from Anfield.
READ MORE: Liverpool step up pursuit of £25m signing after Arne Slot gives green light
They claim that Liverpool are being considered as in a ‘strong position’ regarding Kokcu, with Slot’s presence set to give them the edge over Man United and Tottenham, who are also keen.
It’s also claimed that despite his £125m release clause at Benfica, the Turkey international could be let go for £50-58m if he pushes for an exit.
Furthermore, Kokcu is said to be interested in playing in the Premier League, adding another possible tick in the Liverpool box.
Luka Modric comparison emerges for Kokcu
Kokcu is a name who Liverpool supporters will likely have become familiar with over the past 18 months or so.
The Turk has been quietly asserting himself as a very good player first at Feyenoord and then with Benfica.
One player who had Kokcu pegged way back in March 2022 was former Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko. Speaking to Tutto Juve, Sissoko likened the then Feyenoord player to Real Madrid legend Luka Modric.
“I’ve seen him play in different roles, he made a good impression on me both as a centre-midfielder and as an attacking midfielder,” said the Malian. “He’s perfect as a pivot in a three-man midfield, Juve are really looking for a profile like his to improve the squad.
“I’ll go out on a limb and say [he resmebles] Modric, for me he has the same quality of play. He has the potential to reach his level.”
