Despite being able to sign Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion for relative peanuts in today’s market, Liverpool have been brought crashing back down to earth as a player that was hoped would be the second new man in through the Anfield doors looks to be heading elsewhere.
Jurgen Klopp will know that this will be arguably his most important summer in transfer terms since shortly after he took over on the red half of Merseyside.
The German has to get the Reds back to where they were a few seasons ago or run the risk of watching his empire crumble before his eyes.
Mac Allister is a superb signing for Liverpool’s midfield, and will give it the drive that it had been missing for the majority of the 2022/23 campaign.
Feyenoord’s Orkun Kokcu was a player that Klopp was apparently ‘charmed by’ according to De Telegraaf (subscription required), but it looks as if the 22-year-old is going to sign for Portuguese giants, Benfica.
Reliable journalist, Fabrizio Romano, had tweeted on Friday afternoon that Benfica were ‘closing in’ on the player’s signing.
Benfica are closing in on deal to sign Orkun Kökçü ??? #Benfica
? €30m fee to Feyenoord.
? Sell on clause around 20%.
? Contract until June 2028.
? Medical tests booked this week.
? €120m release clause into Benfica contract.
Final details then… here we go ?? pic.twitter.com/rCujLbxEvq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2023
Later on Friday evening, he also posted a photo of the player allegedly on his way to Portugal to undertake his medical with the club.
Benfica fans sharing Orkun Kökçü’s pic on his way to Portugal for medical tests and contract signing. ?? #Benfica
Agreement reached between clubs on €30m fee plus 20% sell on clause, now waiting to sign documents as final step. pic.twitter.com/hgAzYg8Uuo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2023
Any disappointment Klopp and Liverpool’s recruitment team might feel about missing out on Kokcu needs to be quickly put to bed so that they can move on to a ‘plan B.’ Some you win…