Journalist David Lynch has revealed that Liverpool could be potentially looking to replace the departing Sadio Mane with Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma this summer.
The 25-year-old winger joined the Yellow Submarine just last summer from Bournemouth. Since then, he has become a vital part of Unai Emery’s attack over in Spain.
With 16 goals in 34 games across all competitions this season, Danjuma has certainly made a mark in Spain. And he has recently admitted that he was made aware of the Reds’ interest in him during the course of the latest campaign.
He told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport (via Daily Mail): “I was informed that Liverpool were following me closely.
“I have never had contacts with clubs or anything like that during the season – I always know about the situation after the season.
“I will never lie and I think it’s a bad quality if you are not ambitious.
“If a club came along that offered me a higher platform to play on sport-wise, I would always have to consider it.”
With Mane seeking pastures new this summer after six terrific years at Anfield and Divock Origi also departing, Jurgen Klopp would be forgiven for dipping into the market once again for attacking reinforcements this summer.
And speaking on the Liverpool.com podcast, Lynch claimed that the Reds could be interested in a move for the forward in the near future, having previously looked at the Dutchman.
He said: “He’s made that move to La Liga and continued to score goals – in the Champions League as well, very impressive. This season, I think the only thing you would maybe hold against him at the moment is whether he’s had enough of that top-level experience.
“I know Liverpool have looked at him in the past and do like him, so you’d think if they are looking for a forward, he’s at least going to be discussed somewhere among the recruitment staff.”
TIF Thoughts on Lynch’s comments…
It was reported that Liverpool were indeed looking to bring Danjuma to Anfield last summer. In the end, it never happened and he moved to Villarreal instead.
In the player’s case, it turned out to be a masterstroke move for the forward, who has come on tremendous leaps and bounds in a whole new environment, scoring an impressive 10 goals and providing three assists from 17 La Liga starts – especially considering he was a Championship player this time last year.
Such numbers suggest that the £45m-rated Dutch wing-wizard – labelled a ‘nightmare‘ by former Premier League forward Kevin Phillips – is a decisive and influential figure when he is on the pitch, but more importantly, he also possesses the tactical discipline and versatility to become a swift household favourite at Anfield.
Indeed, Klopp would do incredibly well to recruit the former Cherries star.