Liverpool are sending scouts to see Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu in action, according to the De Telegraaf journalist Marcel van der Kraan.
The Turkish international has been a key component of Feyenoord’s campaign, which sees them on the verge of clinching the Eredivisie title, but van der Kraan claims a number of teams, in addition to the Reds, are keeping tabs on the midfielder:
“I think a lot of clubs are after Orkun Kokcu. There were already a number of clubs [interested], Leicester City, Brighton and a number of other clubs from that region. Aston Villa has been added to that. I think more and more top clubs are now looking at him. In recent weeks, the stands have been packed with scouts, including from the top six of the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool; everyone had scouts there. The battle is going to be very interesting and that would also mean that it will be very difficult [for Feyenoord] to keep him.”
Kokcu’s reported asking price is said to be €40m (£35m) and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool, or another Premier League team, will take the plunge and make a formal offer for the 22-year-old.
The Reds have been linked with numerous midfielders over the past few weeks, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch having featured most prominently in rumours.
After recruiting Cody Gakpo from Dutch football in January, you can’t rule out Jurgen Klopp’s side pursuing another Eredivisie star this summer.