Arsenal
Liverpool Ready To Hijack Arsenal’s Move For Belgian Attacker
Liverpool are ready to hijack Arsenal’s bid to sign a highly-rated Belgian attacking midfielder this summer. Find out who the player in question is here.
The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Liverpool edge ahead of Arsenal in the race for Zakaria Bakkali.
Liverpool are ready to hijack Arsenal’s bid to sign highly-rated PSV attacker Zakaria Bakkali this summer, according to the Express.
The Belgian youngster is considered as one of the most promising talents in Holland and burst on to the scene after becoming the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick in the Eredivisie aged just 17.
His impressive form has seen him attract interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs with Arsenal and Real Madrid among those understood to be interested. Last month, an unnamed PSV ‘source’ was quoted as saying that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger rates the 18-year-old highly and could move to try and buy him this summer.
“Bakkali is a player that Wenger rates highly.
“Arsenal have kept an eye on him and are aware that other teams want him, so could move in the summer to buy him.” the source is quoted as saying by the Express.
However, the Express claim that Liverpool have now emerged as serious contenders for Bakkali’s signature with boss Brendan Rodgers believed to have sent scouts to watch the attacking midfielder on several occasions and has been left impressed by what he’s heard.
The newspaper suggests that both Arsenal and Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of the youngster after learning that he’s stalling on signing a new deal at PSV, and although the Dutch club are desperately trying to convince the players agent – who’s also his uncle – that he’s better off staying in Holland to continue his development, it seems he could be lured away with the Premier League a likely destination.
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While Arsenal may have been tracking Bakkali for longer, the report states that Liverpool could now be considered as the favourites for his signature with Rodgers set to make his interest official with a formal offer this summer, although it remains to be seen how Wenger will respond if the Northern Irishman does follow through with a concrete bid.
