13 Mar 2015

Markovic Beware? Liverpool pushing to sign 'remarkable' €14m attacker BR wanted in 2014

In December 2013, Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer confirmed Liverpool's interest in exciting attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, and new reports this week suggest that the Reds are still monitoring the Turk, who is currently under contract at Bayer Leverkusen.

Prior to Calhanoglu's move to Leverkusen, Kreuzer told German newspaper BILD:

"Liverpool and Arsenal are interested. We do not want to sell him, but every player has a price. "

Calhanoglu only signed for Leverkusen last summer, but according to a Thursday report in Spanish newspaper MARCA, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona remain interested in signing the midfielder.

When asked about Calhanoglu's future this week, his agent, Bektas Demirtas told reporters:

"I don't want this to sound arrogant, but Hakan isn't bothered by the interest. He has everything he needs at Leverkusen, and things are going well in the Bundesliga"

Some info about Calhanoglu:

* 10 goals/7 assists in 35 appearances for Leverkusen
* Goal/assist every 2 games.
* 5 apps for the Turkey national team.
* 3 minor injuries this season (knee, back, and calf)
* Passing accuracy: 69%
* 63 chances created in 30 games (League and CL)
* Current contract expires in 2019.
* Cost Leverkusen €14.5m.

* Apr 2014: Hamburg boss Mirko Slomka revealed that Calhanoglu was being treated by a 'specialist in neurology and psychology' for a depression-related affliction. When asked about the youngster's situation, he simply said: "We are going to give him whatever help he needs".

* Renowned for his dead-ball ability, Calhanoglu recently revealed that he sets aside time every week just to practice free kicks: "Three times a week I work on free-kicks; 20 with the left foot, and 20 with the right, then I watch myself [on video] to see what I can improve".. An example of the obvious benefits of that extra training:



Calhanoglu - hailed in February as a 'remarkable' player by Leverkusen boss Rodger Schmidt - is barely one year into a 5-year deal at Leverkusen, so it seems unlikely that the club will let him leave after only 12 months. Still, as always, money talks, and if a big enough offer comes in, the German club will almost certainly sell.

With the alleged interest in Felipe Anderson, and now Calhanoglu, Liverpool appear to be on the lookout for another Coutinho-like attacking midfielder. Rodgers probably thought he had that licked when he signed Lazar Markovic last summer, but he is struggling to make an impact at Anfield, and signing yet another player in his position will (IMO) be tantamount to a vote of no-confidence.



Author:


33 comments:

  1. Markovic is a wide player. I'd say if anything it is a vote of no confidence for Lallana.

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  2. Rumours of players coming going are all good titillation, most of the stories never materialise. Unsure why I have commented here really. Bored I guess.

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  3. Most of these rumors stay as rumors..Guess I was also bored :D
    Btw..This guy is terrific with dead ball.

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  4. Markovic is the new Stirling

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  5. Markovic lacks confidence. Calhanoglu has depression which often goes with a lack of confidence and if we sign him it would be a vote of no confidence in Markovic. How confident do I feel about this rumour?

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  6. Definitely no where no near

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  7. Only in the sense that he is now being criticised in place of Sterling

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  8. Didn't realize it was International Bash Markovic Day.

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  9. Gareth Bale getting some flak too- must be something in the air

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  10. Bought Calhanoglu on FM when he was at Hamburg and fully expected him to mature into the next prodogy of my Werder Breman side. Sadly, he grossly underperformed and ended up digressing as a player until I finally had to sell him to Lille. I say we stay away from this one and give Markovic more time

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  11. Jaimie did Markovic run over your dog today or something? Poor guy's getting it tight today

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  12. That joke was only for the regulars. It has caused some confusion in other quarters it would seem

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  13. He probably asked for a new contract or something

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  14. I think Sterling's mum told Jaimie to stop picking on him, so now he's moved on to Markovic because he can most likely hardly understand what JK is saying anyway.

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  15. Markovic has made some impressive appearances this season, albeit still adjusting to his new environment and being just 21 yrs old. I wouldn't be too critical of him as he's obviously a talented player and a good signing, and therefore people need to exercise a bit of patience and not put too much pressure on him. Don't forget he has been playing out of position as a wing back for most of his time here and has done a good job all things considered.

    Calhanoglu is obviously a quality player and one we should try and sign but there's no guarantee he would perform for us. That's the risk of the transfer market that every club takes.

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  16. Calhanoglu has more strings to his bow than Markovic as for one he is more creative and has a great free kick which will be handy.
    If the club can recoup most of the money they paid for Markovic then sell him i normally give players time but i dont see anything outstanding about him at all he is already behind Ibe in the pecking order.

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  17. Nothing to do with Markovic. As VermHat says probably more of a threat to Lallana.


    Either way, he and Felipe Anderson are both classy players and most welcome at Anfield.

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  18. His free-kicks remind me of Juninho.

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  19. Totally agree Lallana been dissapointing to say the least . HIs game not good enough for Liverpool. Wants too many touches and his final ball is terrible, lightweight and falls over when breathed on. Flatters to deceive, never last 90 minutes and has had an impact in three games this season against West Brom , Swansea and Palace I think it was. Both have been mistakes IMO, have seen more from Markovic to suggest he can make it particularly against Man City, Chelsea etc...£46 m a lot of money for those two. This lad looks small and lightweight again but can take pens !!

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  20. This comment belongs in the Hall of Fame. One of the greats.

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  21. I gave you the 10th upvote.....fully fully deserve double figures here.

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  22. Stirling/ Sterling it's all the same when he's just a greedy lil so'n'so.
    I don't know why but when I read 'rare' criticism of Markovic it reminds me of Ryan Babel....sort of talent....hasn't shown it....we expect more to come....

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  23. Probably the similar hairstyling. Doesn't go down well with the English or Spanish it seems.

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  24. How bizarre that just as I logged on to the page, you replied to my post. However I am drunk so you shall get no sense out of me in the foreseeable and I imagine I'll pass out in about 4...3...2.........

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  25. I agree if it doesnt go well in FM it should be a non-starter. Can't be any worse logic than our current 'scouting system'...buy Marko on FM then give us an update.

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  26. I never like the extra strings in a bow....feels like cheating. You can shoot more arrows per turn...bit unfair.

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  27. I heard you logging in you were so loud in your drunkness, so thought I would post in time. I would greatly appreciate you pointing me to a time when we have got any sense out of you jock...I've been looking in vain ;)

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  28. Your words cut like a knife you swine! Stand-by for a witty retort tomorrow... Or perhaps the next day...

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  29. I will lie with bated breath until your severe revenge strikes.

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  30. That'll be the worst part... You don't know when it's coming...

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  31. I don't think I can handle the suspense, I keep thinking... which post will it be...this one, an old one, a newer one, where in the comments section will he strike, I can't keep affording this bodyguard, is Jock watching me waiting until I let him go and my guard down. I haven't slept in 2 days!

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  32. Haha that made me laugh...

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