Liverpool Revive Interest In $34M Forward, Who Could Be Dream Successor To Sadio Mane: Reports

Liverpool FC have reportedly revived interest in Belgium’s Jeremy Doku, who has been identified as an ideal long-term replacement for star striker Sadio Mane.

The teenage wonderkid Doku, who is currently contracted with Belgian club Anderlecht, was earlier linked with a move to Anfield. Het Niewsblad, a media outlet in the Netherlands, previously revealed that Doku visited the Liverpool training center, Melwood, and also had met some senior officials including Jurgen Klopp apart from former player Steven Gerrard. But The Reds pulled the plug on a deal eventually.

With Liverpool rekindling an interest in Doku, another Dutch publication Het Belang van Limburg has claimed that since the 18-year-old forward is currently contracted with Anderlecht until 2021, the CEO of the Belgian club has insisted that he would let go of his star player only if he received a crazy offer. The report has further revealed Anderlecht have valued Doku at $34 million.

Although Anderlecht are not keen on selling Doku, it is aware that a deal would significantly reduce their current debts of $110 million. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Anderlecht are among the clubs that have been immensely affected financially.

While Liverpool have not made an official bid for Doku yet, English soccer website Teamtalk has been informed by unnamed sources that the deal could be possible as Klopp sees the young forward as a dream successor to Mane, who has played a pivotal role in the success Liverpool have tasted over the last couple of years under Klopp’s management.

As a short-term solution, Liverpool recently signed Wolves forward Diogo Jota, who moved to the Anfield side for an initial fee of $52 million. Liverpool have also signed Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich. The 29-year-old, who has won almost everything in Spain and Germany, is being considered as the most accomplished new signing of the Premier League.

Liverpool ended the long wait of 30 years when they clinched their maiden Premier League title last season. Under Klopp’s charge, Liverpool have four trophies, the other three being the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.