After missing out on the signing of Julian Draxler, Jurgen Klopp is turning to Dutch forward Quincy Promes in a bid to strengthen his attacking line going into what promises to be an intense second half of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.
Over the course of the on-going season, Jurgen Klopp has been constantly peppered with questions for his view on Liverpool’s chances at an elusive Premier League title, and all along the boss consistently downplayed them up until Christmas Sunday.
When Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp fired the same question during the Christmas special, the German replied on the affirmative claiming his side have what it takes to challenge for the title. The Reds are still some way adrift of perfection and could use some firepower in their ranks to help them attain that cutting edge and consistency to their performances towards the defining half of the season, especially in the absence of players like Sadio Mane.
Liverpool were strongly linked with a move for Julian Draxler during the January transfer window and with the 23-year-old sealing a move to PSG, Klopp’s team have been forced to look elsewhere in order to strengthen their attack. The Daily Mirror claim that the Reds are looking to step up their interest in Quincy Promes as a result of their failed pursuit of Draxler.
Klopp is keen on bringing in a player who can play out wide but can still prove to be a potent threat in front of goal. With Promes offering a return of 37 goals from 72 games for Spartak Moscow, the Dutchman quite certainly fits the bill.
Spartak’s Sporting Director, interestingly, came out and clarified that there was a release clause stipulated to be about £20 million in the 24-year-old’s contract. Furthermore, the club’s purchase of Alexandre Semadov and subsequent interest in out-of-favour Manchester United winger Memphis Depay suggests that they are preparing themselves for the imminent departure of Promes.
The Dutchman isn’t the only option explored by Liverpool as Klopp has shown interest in FC Rostov’s Sardar Azmoun and Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic in a bid to account for the absence of Mane. With Coutinho’s return from injury now seemingly uncertain, the German would have to go the distance with Promes.
A January signing hasn’t always clicked for Liverpool but given the attributes that the Dutch forward brings to his game, he will fit well into the Reds high-pressing style of play and is a worthy bargain at £20 million.
