Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v RB Leipzig - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - April 2, 2022 RB Leipzig's Konrad Laimer celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO.
According to a report from German outlet Kicker (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.Â
The lowdown: RB pathway
The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Red Bull Salzburg before taking the well-established route to German Bundesliga side Leipzig in 2017.
Since then the decorated ace, who was named Salzburg’s Player of the Season in 2016/17, has gone from strength to strength whilst racking up 154 appearances.
Now, the highly-rated Austria international could be about to take another familiar career path and follow in the footsteps of Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate.
The latest: Reds’ linked
As per Kicker, as translated by SW, Liverpool are said to be ‘looking’ at Laimer ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arch-rivals Manchester United are also cited as potential suitors with German giants Bayern Munich also in the mix to land the 20-cap Austria ace.
Out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), Laimer – who was tipped to have a ‘huge future’ by compatriot Marko Arnautovic – currently ‘wants to focus’ on the end of the campaign and potential Europa League glory before deciding on his next move.
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The verdict: Bellingham alternative…
So far this season Laimer has scored five times and provided six assists in 36 appearances and actually stacks up as the closest likeness in terms of playing style and output to widely reported Liverpool target, Jude Bellingham, when using FBref‘s comparison tool.
Valued at £23.4million and in the final 15 months of a contract, any quest to sign the Austrian for new Anfield transfer chief Julian Ward would be a wholly more affordable option than the mooted £101million fee required to land Bellingham.
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Believed to have idolised Kop legend Steven Gerrard as a child, Laimer has clearly paid close attention to the ex-Liverpool captain and possesses impressive tackling, passing and long-range shooting ability (WhoScored), making the Austrian the perfect addition to Jurgen Klopp’s ranks.
In other news, the finance expert details potential Liverpool windfall. Find out more here.
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