Liverpool have been scouting PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko in recent months, according to Eindhovens Dagblad reporter Rik Elfrink.
The Dutch journalist says the Reds have been keeping an eye on the Belgian international, having last watched him in action against AZ Alkmaar in April.
Bakayoko is still a pretty raw young talent and fans on X are worried that the Merseyside club would be recruiting another player who is not the finished article:
Not excited by this at all but it stinks of an LFC signing due to it being cheap
— Kieran (@K1eranJones) May 21, 2024
He isn’t better than Harvey and I can’t plays in same position as MO Salah. Unless Mo is leaving, I don’t see his signing as a necessity
— trent’s right foot (@sakyi_rich85) May 21, 2024
Prefer Kudus, he is much better imo
— sam_kay (@Samilin0011) May 21, 2024
Olise is better
— J⚽️TA …………💚🤍❤️ (@MrMaker14) May 20, 2024
Already bought one from psv who wasn’t good enough, don’t need another
— Gary McIntyre (@GaryMcIntyre11) May 21, 2024
Get olise
— Reds81 (@Reds8111) May 20, 2024
Netherlands players do flop in premier league
— Big Josh (@B_igJosh) May 20, 2024
How much would Bakayoko cost?
Elfrink says that PSV are looking to sell the 21-year-old for a fee that would exceed the €50m (£43m) that Liverpool paid for Cody Gakpo in January last year.
However, with Bakayoko closing in on the final two years of his contract at the Eredivisie champions, he could well be signed for less than that figure if a bidding war doesn’t happen.
What do Liverpool fans need to know about the Belgian?
Bakayoko spent spells in Club Brugge, KV Mechelen and Anderlecht’s youth teams before moving to PSV in 2019. He went on to make his senior debut for the Dutch club against NAC Breda in February 2022. Since then, the forward has established himself as a regular starter.
His performances this season (14 goals and 14 assists in 48 appearances) have attracted interest from English clubs. Reports in the Belgian media have previously mentioned Liverpool, Arsenal and Brentford as potential suitors.