Anfield Watch
·19 April 2024
Anfield Watch
·19 April 2024
Liverpool are trying to sign one of the hottest prospects at Barcelona right now. The Reds are far from the only side looking at this transfer, though.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Liverpool are one of several clubs working on a plan to sign Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye. The 19-year-old currently plays for their B team.
Barcelona intend to promote Faye to their senior side next season and he has even sat among the substitutes for Xavi's side this term. He's impressed enough - including winning his first Senegal cap - and is reportedly seen as one of their future stars.
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Faye only joined Barcelona last year from NK Kustosija in Croatia. They paid around £1 million for the privilege and promptly placed him in their B team to develop.
Develop he has and now the likes of Liverpool are hoping to tempt Barcelona into a quick profit. RC Lens tried to do just that in January, offering around £8m but the Catalonians rejected it.
Now interest has grown exponentially, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Lille, AS Monaco and OGC Nice all wanting Faye.
Barcelona, then, have a massive decision to make as clubs could be willing to put a lot of money on the table for a player they're not even using right now.
It's easy to see why Liverpool have an interest here. Just look at what Barcelona defender Joules Koundé had to say about his teammate:
"I think he has a lot of talent. He is very, very explosive, very dynamic, very aggressive, very good with the ball, he has a good left foot. He recently arrived in a new country with a new language and I think he is doing very well, I have heard him speak a little Spanish already. I see someone who wants to work and I think he has a bright future ahead.”
On top of that, Liverpool almost certainly need to sign centre-backs this summer. They'll likely lose Joel Matip, who is out of contract at the end of the season with no prospect of a new deal on the horizon, while a certain potential manager plays with three at the back in the shape of Ruben Amorim.
Other centre back targets include Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio.
Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes has plenty of sorting out to do once he takes up the role at the end of the season.
Faye may not be the biggest name to pick up but he could well be one of those with the most long-term gain. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
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