Liverpool’s prior dealings with PSV Eindhoven could help them secure the signature of Johan Bakayoko, according to Het Laatste Nieuws (via Sport Witness).
The Belgian publication claims that the Reds are on good terms with the Eredivisie champions, having negotiated a deal for Cody Gakpo in January last year.
Bakayoko is attracting interest from at least three other clubs after impressing with his performances for PSV this season.
Het Laatste Nieuws report that Arsenal, Brentford and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the Belgian international, but Liverpool currently have the edge.
How much would Bakayoko cost?
It is believed that PSV are demanding a club record fee for the 21-year-old. Ironically, that record sale is the €50m (£43m) that Liverpool paid for Gakpo.
Based on Bakayoko’s displays since the start of the campaign, there is an argument to say that he is worth the money. The winger has scored 14 goals and contributed 14 assists in 46 appearances.
Liverpool’s new manager has had his say on whether he would sign players from Holland
Intriguingly, Jurgen Klopp’s successor Arne Slot has spoken out about whether he would make signings from the Eredivisie. The 45-year-old said he would do things on a case-by-case basis:
“I don’t think you should always judge based on moments from the past. I also read everywhere about the success rate of Dutch coaches in England. There are so many variables. If a player is good, it shouldn’t matter what level he comes from. But at the moment, there’s no talk of anything because nothing has been officially confirmed yet.”
Slot will, of course, know Bakayoko very well, with his Feyenoord team having faced the forward on multiple occasions. However, the prospective new Liverpool head coach may not have the final say on transfer dealings anyway, with sporting director Richard Hughes expected to be very influential when it comes to signings, along with Michael Edwards.