‘Liverpool are his No.1’ – Chelsea target chooses rivals as Reds are tipped to complete €40m transfer

Lewis Oldham 01 Jun 2023 6:30 AM

According to reports, Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone favours a move to Liverpool over Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool have been linked with loads of midfielders over the past couple of months and this is likely to continue as we enter transfer silly season.

The Premier League outfit initially identified Jude Bellingham as one of their main targets, but they have been priced out of a deal for the teenager, who is now set to sign for Real Madrid.

The Reds have since turned their attention to Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and he is expected to finalise his move to Liverpool during the early stages of this summer’s transfer window.

Liverpool are likely to sign two or three midfielders this summer and their new sporting director – Jorg Schmadtke – is said to be targeting players based in the Bundesliga.

Gladbach star Kone is one player on Liverpool’s radar. The 22-year-old midfielder has played 60 times for the Bundesliga outfit over the past two seasons.

Reports linking Kone to Liverpool have ramped up in recent days and SportBILD’s Tobi Altschaffl has told Empire of the Kop that the France U21 international prefers a move to Anfield.

“There were rumours about Chelsea and PSG wanting Kone but I think, at the moment, Liverpool is No.1 for him,” Altschaffl told Empire of the Kop.

“There is a new era starting in the midfield of Liverpool and he could be one piece of the puzzle for that.”

He added: “I don’t think [Kone] a top, top priority, a No.1 [for Liverpool], but I think this is a deal which is easier than the big deals like… I don’t want to compare him to anyone like Kylian Mbappe. It’s only about potentially discussing valuation, like is he €30m, or €35 or €40m.

“Kone is more likely because he’s not going to have a high transfer fee. Maybe at the end, it’s €30m plus €5m bonus – something like that. This could go fast if Liverpool are pushing.”

Altschaffl has also indicated that Gladbach “have to sell” Kone – who is out of contract in 2025 – and Liverpool have got a “very good chance” of signing him.

“The situation is very clear. Liverpool and Klopp – they want three new midfielders and they are looking for them in the Bundesliga,” Altschaffl continued.

“You have Jorg Schmadtke and the guys that know the Bundesliga very well, so it’s obvious that Kone is one of those players.

“I think Gladbach know they have to sell him. If Liverpool are pushing, I think they’ve got very good chances of getting Manu Kone.”

Liverpool Manu Kone