2 Mar 2016

Anfield MegaDeal? Liverpool chase 'outstanding' £25m attacker who broke Bundesliga record

Liverpool are reportedly considering a summer move for £25m-rated Bayer Leverkusen attacker Karim Bellarabi, who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Manchester United.

According to Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato:

"Liverpool are interested in signing Karim Bellarabi during the summer transfer window".

Bellarabi appears to be open to a move, and when asked in October about a possible transfer, he told reporters:

"This [leaving] is currently not an issue as I am very happy in Leverkusen. However, if I get an exceptional offer from someone, then I will consider it".

Some info about Bellarabi:

* 25-year old right winger, who can also play on the left, or as a secondary striker. Current contract expires: 2020.

* 25 goals/23 assists in 106 games for Leverkusen (Goal every 309 mins/Goal/assist every 161 mins)

* Aug 2014: Broke the record for quickest goal in the Bundesliga when he scored after just 9 seconds against...Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund team.

* Oct 2014: After selecting Bellarabi for the German national team, Joachim Low raved: "Bellarabi has earned his chance after outstanding performance for his club. He is very strong in one-on-one situations and an outstanding alternative for our attack".

* Sep 2015: Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt's assessment: "He [Bellarabi] is quick with the ball, but also without the ball, and he wins back a lot of possession for the team".

* Missed only 8 game through injury since 2013.

In my view, Bellarabi fits the profile of the kind of attacking player Liverpool need to sign: tall, strong, fast, rarely injured, and capable of providing genuine width (77% of games as a winger for Leverkusen).

However, a goal every 309 minutes is not that impressive; the Reds need consistent goalscorers from midfield, and spending big bucks on Bellarabi is (arguably) a risk.

Author: Jaimie K


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