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Liverpool are on the hunt for another winger to add to their attack, and the latest reports claim they are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Leon Bailey.
What's the story?
According to reports, Liverpool are the latest Premier League club to show an interest in Bailey.
The wing wizard was linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the summer, and the player himself has claimed Liverpool were in the hunt as well.
“Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool – a lot of clubs were interested,” the 21-year-old said in an interview with FourFourTwo.
The youngster went on to say he is not looking to move anywhere “yet”, but there does seem to be an understanding at the German outfit that he will eventually depart for one of Europe’s big boys.
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The next Mane?
Liverpool fans are growing increasingly concerned over the lack of contract news on Sadio Mane, as the Senegalese international is the only one of the Reds’ front three who has not signed a big new contract.
Bailey could be the perfect understudy to Mane, and could even replace him if the Anfield favourite does eventually depart.
The Leverkusen only has one league goal to his name this season, but has still performed to a very high level.
He scored nine league goals and added six assists last season, and his combination of raw speed, intelligent movement and clinical finishing is actually reminiscent of a young Mane.
Both players can player on either wing, both are impossible to defend one-on-one, and finally both are far better finishers than the average winger.
That last point may just be why Jurgen Klopp sees Bailey as the next in line to lead his high-tempo attacking machine, as the German expects his wingers to pop up in central positions and get themselves on the scoresheet.
Mane is showing no signs of leaving in the near future, but if the 26 year-old does leave the club then Bailey is just about the closes thing to a direct replacement the Reds could possibly find.
So, Liverpool fans, do you think Mane will leave before the end of his current contract? Could Bailey fill the void? Let us know your thought by voting in the poll below…