Liverpool are plotting a swoop for Villarreal centre forward Arnaut Danjuma as Jurgen Klopp looks to add more new faces to his squad.
What’s the word?
That’s according to the Daily Mail, which states that Liverpool are interested in the Dutchman, although they may face a battle with fellow Premier League club West Ham United, who have held discussions over a move for the player.
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Reports in Spain (via the Daily Mail) claim that the La Liga side would be willing to sell Danjuma for £37.5m and this would be well within Klopp’s budget.
He can be Klopp’s Lewandowski
With the news that Sadio Mane has left the side to join Bayern Munich and fan favourite Divock Origi leaving Anfield along with Takumi Minamino having joined Monaco, there appears to be a lack of depth in the Liverpool frontline.
Although the club record £85m signing of Darwin Nunez has softened the blow, the front free could do with a bit of a rejig, especially since Robert Firmino endured a relatively poor season in front of goal last time out, scoring just 11 times.
Danjuma would be a shrewd signing, with the former Bournemouth striker impressing in Spain and the Champions League this season, scoring 16 goals and registering four assists across 34 appearances in both competitions.
The 25-year-old is statistically similar to Bayern Munich goalscoring machine Robert Lewandowski according to FBref’s similar player model and Klopp could land a bargain by signing Danjuma.
Although the Polish international stats are slightly better than Danjuma’s, with the Bayern man grabbing more goals (50 to 16), more shots per 90 (4.30 to 3.15), and generating more shot-creating actions per match (3.13 to 2.08), Lewandowski played 12 more matches.
This is the level that the Nigerian-born Dutch international should be aiming for, and, being nine years younger than Lewandowski, there is plenty of time for the player to reach his potential.
Jonathan Woodgate praised the player when they were both at Bournemouth together, dubbing him “exceptional” and Klopp should be looking to seal a move as soon as possible.