Liverpool are back in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-Min, an exciting attacking player the club has relentlessly pursued throughout Brendan Rodgers' Anfield reign.
Last season, Brendan Rodgers reportedly made a 'personal check' on Son, and over the weekend, Min's agent, Thies Bliemeister told German newspaper Bild:
"I know Liverpool have scouted him several times this season and they want him in their team."
In November 2012, former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael Van Der Vaart revealed the extent of Liverpool's interested:
"It is tempting when Liverpool informs you of a twenty million offer, but he [Son] must stay here!"
At the time, Bleimeister, also confirmed Liverpool's 'concrete' interest.
"Liverpool were interested in concrete terms. I think, at clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, he would also be able to play, [but] Leverkusen is the right step to develop. The Premier League could someday be the goal"
Like Emre Can - who also came from Leverkusen - 22-year old Son is positionally versatile, and can play on the left, right, behind the striker, or even as centre-forward.
When asked recently to describe his best position, Son explained:
"I don't care where I play. The main thing is I'm in the game. I can play as a second striker or behind. What the coach says, I'll do. I don't have a favorite position. I'll be anywhere and always on the throttle."
German legend Franz Beckenbauer is a fan of the South Korean international, and in an interview Hamburger Morgenpost last year, he raved:
"He [Son] is superb player. I really like the way he plays: Fast and dynamic. He not only scores goals, but also makes beautiful goals"
Son's stats:
* This season: 21 goals/assists in 39 apps.
* Goal/assist every 1.8 games.
* Leverkusen total: 40 goals/assists in 82 apps.
* Goal/assist every 2 games.
Unlike Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic et al, Son is a tall, strong attacker, which is something Liverpool don't have at the moment. Rodgers seems to favour smaller, mobile attackers with a low centre of gravity, and that's great, but it's also good to have different types of players at the club.
Son has an €22m buyout clause in his contract, which is fair enough given the South Korean's rapid rise to prominence, and consistent creative contribution for Leverkusen. Alas, according to his agent:
"Son has a release clause at €22.5m, but the deadline has already expired, which means that the fee would be freely negotiated, and Son would be even more expensive".
Liverpool need attacking players who can regularly score goals, and if Son is available for the right price, should the Reds pursue a deal?
Jaimie K
Last season, Brendan Rodgers reportedly made a 'personal check' on Son, and over the weekend, Min's agent, Thies Bliemeister told German newspaper Bild:
"I know Liverpool have scouted him several times this season and they want him in their team."
In November 2012, former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael Van Der Vaart revealed the extent of Liverpool's interested:
"It is tempting when Liverpool informs you of a twenty million offer, but he [Son] must stay here!"
At the time, Bleimeister, also confirmed Liverpool's 'concrete' interest.
"Liverpool were interested in concrete terms. I think, at clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, he would also be able to play, [but] Leverkusen is the right step to develop. The Premier League could someday be the goal"
Like Emre Can - who also came from Leverkusen - 22-year old Son is positionally versatile, and can play on the left, right, behind the striker, or even as centre-forward.
When asked recently to describe his best position, Son explained:
"I don't care where I play. The main thing is I'm in the game. I can play as a second striker or behind. What the coach says, I'll do. I don't have a favorite position. I'll be anywhere and always on the throttle."
German legend Franz Beckenbauer is a fan of the South Korean international, and in an interview Hamburger Morgenpost last year, he raved:
"He [Son] is superb player. I really like the way he plays: Fast and dynamic. He not only scores goals, but also makes beautiful goals"
Son's stats:
* This season: 21 goals/assists in 39 apps.
* Goal/assist every 1.8 games.
* Leverkusen total: 40 goals/assists in 82 apps.
* Goal/assist every 2 games.
Unlike Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic et al, Son is a tall, strong attacker, which is something Liverpool don't have at the moment. Rodgers seems to favour smaller, mobile attackers with a low centre of gravity, and that's great, but it's also good to have different types of players at the club.
Son has an €22m buyout clause in his contract, which is fair enough given the South Korean's rapid rise to prominence, and consistent creative contribution for Leverkusen. Alas, according to his agent:
"Son has a release clause at €22.5m, but the deadline has already expired, which means that the fee would be freely negotiated, and Son would be even more expensive".
Liverpool need attacking players who can regularly score goals, and if Son is available for the right price, should the Reds pursue a deal?
Jaimie K
I would rely on Couts. Sterling to improve when we start playing with attacker(s), Lallana to get on his level once settled and injury free, Hendo to flourish in absence of Gerrard and Can to chip in when moved to the midfield. There is Ibe too. We also have Markovic who we must play. Not adding creativity to our midfield should be our calculated risk as we desperately need a DM. And there are good DM's out there that have creativity, like Naingolan and Kondogbia.
ReplyDeleteI see little down side to this deal if the price is right, but we have bigger priorities right now than negotiating for a good deal with Son. He's talented, but nothing overly special. If we miss out on him, chances are there will be another talented 21 year old with a similar playing style in a few years we can chase.
ReplyDeleteWe need a true FW right now. We're (rumored to be) chasing a bunch of "kinda" strikers. Depay is more of a goal scoring winger/AM (which is a breath of fresh air given our current crop). Son is more of a Kuyt-esque Second Striker. Kono and Yarmo are out and out wingers. We NEED a FW right now.
No
ReplyDeletesign Austin,Benteke,Milner ,Bolaise ,Delph and Jenkinson
is it also not your dream to see this team:
.........................................Benteke
Bolaise.........................................................Milner
....................................Coutinho
............................Henderson......Delph
Moreno...............Sakho.........Skrtel...........Can
..........................................Mignolet
bench:Austin,Ibe,Lallana,Allen,Jenkinson,Jones
what a team!
Better then Barcelona and Real Madrid
They probably will get him or Benteke who may i say does not the fit Rodgers style because they are not what we need or the quality required and that seems a trend in recent windows.
ReplyDeleteWith more than 4 months to rest and get in the shape, maybe Daniel is the man. And with Origi hopefully ready to step up in his absence there won't be a need to force him back should anything happen. I think Depay is exactly what we need as from what I saw/read he can play alongside either or between Ibe and Sterling in a front three.
ReplyDeleteAs sarcasm, I don't find it funny, and as a real opinion- damn...
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Danny is that there is a big ? over his fitness at all times. No matter how good he is, we can't rely on him to play a whole season. As for Depay, he's someone who can play alongside someone, but he's not one to lead the line. Depay + Raheem + someone, with Cou behind would be a killer attack. Throw in Ibe, Lallana, and Markovic in relief, and that's more solid than people would give us credit for. However, that CF position is still needing to be filled.
ReplyDeleteNot that exciting really and why Can would be wasted at right back.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your ideal (realistic) window Greggy? Ins and outs?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Chelsea sell Danny ?
ReplyDeleteWell, he was severely underperforming. They continually played him as a winger (where he's not very effective) and nobody thought he was very good. We gave him a consistent run of games through the middle, and he proved he's got talent... Now the problem is fitness.
ReplyDeleteSo you reckon they had NO knowledge about his injury status ?
ReplyDeleteHe never played so they never cared whether he was injured or not.
ReplyDeleteSurely Liverpool cannot bank on him anymore ?
ReplyDeleteYeah.....That's our entire point....
ReplyDeleteWho can BR get to play up front that is good enough ?
ReplyDeleteHe's their best attacking player, which is saying something in a team that includes Bellarabi, Calhanoglu and Stefan Kiessling. I would be very happy if we managed to sign him.
ReplyDeleteOrigi?
ReplyDeleteLook out for when you're called "Omre" in the reply...
ReplyDeleteHe has done well up to now but is he going to shine any more at Liverpool?
ReplyDeleteI think people think that actually bothers me..
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the person behind it bothers you...
ReplyDeletewas it ngttdtck?
ReplyDeleteYup, if I remember correctly.
ReplyDeleteI am starting who said what.. Loges is the only one I can't..
ReplyDeleteThere is also a business angle to Son. He would appease the Asian market (namely South Korea though), which has great growing potential. Consequently, increasing the global cash flow starts to become increasingly important under current FFP rules and the Asian market is one of the best sources to achieve that.
ReplyDeleteManU has already laid good foundation with Park although they burnt their fingers with Kagawa and to much lesser extent with Dong (as did Arsenal with the other Park). Nonetheless, we are starting to fall behind from other EPL giants and finding a right Asian superstar could be essential for re-establishing our spot at the very top in the long term. IMO Son could be the one as we have seemed to miss out on K. Honda, but in any case there are no safe bets.
Can't think of a phrase he might have made famous around here?
ReplyDeleteSo any concrete sources about our dire DM situation?
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't see Lovren anywhere...
ReplyDeleteNot that I know.. Who would you like to see here?
ReplyDeleteYes, he was quite invisible this season...
ReplyDeleteKondogbia or Carvalho- the latter would be something in Vieira's rein, big in midfield winning headers and doing hard tackles without getting bullied off the ball it'd be a nice prospect...
ReplyDeleteHhaha pulling a Houdini
ReplyDeleteRealistic is difficult with all the rubbish being bandied around but here goes.
ReplyDeleteOut Coates Balotelli Borini Alberto Flanagan Ilori GJ SG Aspas Manquillo Allen Toure.
Ins Illaramendi Milner Konoplyanka Vietto Montoya.
You must be one of those idiots I've heard so much about.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer Calhanoglu because he can replace Gerrard's set piece prowess (Not replace Gerrard, just his free kicks), that way Hendo can stay away from any free kicks. Plus Calhanoglu guarantees at least 5 goals per season JUST from free kicks.
ReplyDeleteWant yours too Pete.
ReplyDeleteThis guy would be good for shirt sales worldwide BUT Lets not forget Saturday - we were rubbish for the most part again - Serious doubt as to whether we finish above Southampton and Spurs ????? DONT BET ON IT
ReplyDeleteSomebody who gets what is happening in football.
ReplyDeletePeople consistently forgot the impact that FFP now has.
Chelsea recently signed Yoshinori Muto, a 22 year old from Japan who Mourinho stated in an interview that he knew nothing about him and but due to FFP it was important to sign players to attract Asian sponsors.
YEAH...
ReplyDeleteAccording to METRO we have signed 11 new players in the last 2 weeks
ReplyDeleteWould be excellent in my opinion. Not only guarantees goals but works incredibly hard and won't upset the apple cart. Like Kuyt. He also will see Liverpool as the final destination nevermind a leapfrog to better things. Unlike Depay and Sterling, if we don't get Depay then this guy should be the No.1 target.
ReplyDeleteWait until the transfer window opens
ReplyDeletenot better than Barcelona or RMD. We need players like Nolito, Lacazette and Depay to lead the attack.
ReplyDeleteI'd take them both, to he honest. Calhanoglu's free kicks are works of art. Good shout.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDeleteSome of my mates who watch Portuguese league are saying Carvalho hasn't been doing as good as last season, true or not? In that case I would definitely take Kondogbia
ReplyDeleteSon will stay at Leverkusen until after next season. In which I think he'll make a move to Man U if the stars line up. He's a Man U fan at heart.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool should really go for Benteke. He already plays in PL so will not need time to adjust. Depay would also be a gamble, but he'd be my second choice...and that's if they can convince him. Irregardless of club history...without CL next season...I don't see the attraction.
What a pity Rodgers didn't conceive a love child between the ultimate love triangle of himself, Allen, and Gerrard - The holy trinity. You could even throw Emre Can into the mix. And, don't forget Colin Pascoe!
ReplyDeleteOut: Rodgers. In: Logan
ReplyDeleteDirector of Football: Kopite S
Dear god save us.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few high profile/quality players that you just can't include due to a lack of confidence, or CL etc. Without thinking too much my window is similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteOut: Coates, Balotelli, Borini, Alberto, Johnson, Gerrard, Aspas, Manquillo, Toure, Sterling.
In: Illara/Lucas Romero (DM). Montoya (RB). Domenico Berrardi (versatile forward, Borini with extra height, far more technique and eye for goal). Since I opted to cash in on Sterling I'd sign both Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko.
------------Mingo
Montoya-Skrtel-Sakho-Moreno
------------Illara/Romero-------
------Coutinho---Henderson
Kono-----Berrardi-----Yarmolenko
More defensive: Move Coutinho intro front 3 and play Can/Lucas.
Possibly Pedro but I'm uncertain if the club could pay for him and also weary of Jesus Navas' performances.
ReplyDeleteMilner is an interesting one. I like the type of player he is but think we already have too many options. Out wide there is greater quality, and we have Allen central who is up to it only as a squad player.
Since the season is over we just have to play the waiting game. Should be interesting :)
ReplyDeleteYeah i really would like to see a big name come in Pete but i just do not see it happening.
ReplyDeleteMilner is versatile as a mid really think he adds a bit in the centre or out wide and is free funds are tight so some frugality is needed.
ReplyDeleteIllaremendi makes sence to me strengthens the midfield adds good defensive cover for the back 3 or 4 while keeping Lucas i think thats vital.
He's way too inconsistent and injury prone which is strange.#benteke
ReplyDeleteWe've been linked to this guy for ever. I hope we can get him in because he's a hard worker and has a bit of pace. Marketing should also play a part so in all a good bet.
ReplyDeleteI also think we should look at andre ayew.very versitile and hard working. And if you've watched him play I think he'd be perfect.
He's also an lfc fan so him for free isn't a bad bit of business. P.s. He's been linked to almost every club from psg to Tottenham to Southampton to Roma to Napoli.
Super work rate and super versitile
Know of Berrardi i have my doubts he would leave Italy know they have big wraps but we just dont seem to have luck with Italians.
ReplyDeleteOther than that yes i like it.
Nevergonnacrackthecode is a big name.
ReplyDeleteWell to be fair to Borini, he doesn't get a chance. Berrardi fits the Rodgers + FSG profile. The only problem is Juve own him so there will be a hefty price.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Vietto, I can't think of many (realistic) striker options. Or right backs, maybe Carvajal as an alternative. If you get either Spaniard, Wisdom is decent enough for cover, or Richards on a free.
Have you heard of Romero or Kranevitter? Both DM's, little gems in midfield. Oh also, I'd probably send Markovic on loan out here to a local club, not talking about the A-league...
Lastly, thoughts on Sterling?
I think he will go haven't added him to my transfer plans but and i have seen a lot of promising players never make it 50 mill pounds is the price snap it up get an auction going.
ReplyDeleteSterling is still way off being top of the pile and to me has not improved any on last season it may be the teams inefficiencies have affected him anyways.
Havent heard of Kranevitter then again never heard of Cheryshev and watched Villareal 4 times to see Vietto play.
ReplyDeleteWhere is he atm.
ReplyDeleteWe finally have a squad large enough to compete but our starting 11 is meh at best. A new RB is a must and perhaps even a new LB. A strong DM should also be on the shopping list, but i would be content with Can and Lucas fighting for that position if the money is spent elsewhere. Depay is probably the big one, the true marque signing within our grasp. I hope we get him, but i don't want it too drag all over the summer. Judging by our recent history in the transfer market it will drag on and then Depay will end up going somewhere else. If we have the money put in a bid for him as soon as possible, with no champions league to offer we need to make him at least feel incredibly wanted. Upfront is probably where we need to improve upon the most. Without a certain Luis Suarez we've become incredibly toothless.......yeah i went there. Sturridge has never played a full season without injuries and that isn't going to change. I doubt we have that much money and i would rather the club go all out on one position, e.g. Striker, that buy cheap, potential filler players that overall takes the club nowhere.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Sterling. He can't pass, shoot or cross, I do like his energy though. I'm not convinced about Ibe at all think he's completely overrated by some pretty desperate fans, so we'd have to buy some players. I think Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko are goal scoring wide players who are reasonably priced. Problem is Rodgers would bend over backwards to keep Sterling, but I'd take 30mil and run.
ReplyDeleteMarkovic has talent but no confidence to take defenders on. Always plays sideways or backwards. Hopefully he improves.
You know Pete i reckon if the big guns are lookin 50 is a chance with Markovic his inability to beat players may just be he cant.
ReplyDeleteLike the 2 wingers you picked i think they can rev up the attack, Ibe is interesting has the strength and athleticism almost down pat i do think he is the kind who could come along in leaps and bounds next season we can measure him better.