Liverpool and Man Utd 'in battle to sign' player who controversially refused to wear LGBTQ+ armband

Liverpool and Manchester United are battling out to sign a player who was involved in controversy three years ago.

According to Caught Offside, the Premier League giants are both in the race to sign Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who is also being courted by Tottenham, Inter Milan and Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas in his native Turkey.

€40 million is reportedly the fee Benfica want for the 24-year-old, who joined from Feyenoord for around €25 million on a five-year contract.

Liverpool are said to be the favourites for Kokcu, who would prefer a move to the Premier League champions after working under manager Arne Slot in the Eredivisie.

Kokcu was captain of Feyenoord under Slot but on occasion occasion in 2022, he decided against wearing the armband when players took part in the LGBTQ+ community inclusivity campaign.

Captains wore the OneLove rainbow armband but Kokcu did not wish to, with Austrian defender Gernot Trauner instead wearing it in a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar.

Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on Orkun Kokcu. Image: Getty

Liverpool and Man United target issued statement on rainbow refusal

Kokcu, who scored a goal and registered an assist in the win, issued a statement prior to the game explaining the religious reasons behind his snub.

"I have decided not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband this round," he said in a statement posted by Feyenoord's official account, as per Pink News.

“I think it’s important to emphasise that I respect everyone regardless of religion, background or preference. I believe that everyone is free to do what they want or feel. I fully understand the importance of this action, but because of my religious beliefs, I don’t feel the right person to support this.

“That’s why I don’t feel comfortable wearing this captain’s armband. I can imagine some people are disappointed with this. That is absolutely not my intention, although I realise that I may not immediately be able to take away that feeling with these words. But I hope that my choice for religious reasons will also be respected.”

Born in the Netherlands, Kocku left Feyenoord at the end of the 2022/23 season and has gone on to make 98 appearances for Benfica, scoring 19 goals.

The rainbow armband initiative is also present in the Premier League and former Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic refused to do so.

Last season, Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi hit headlines for writing "I love Jesus" and "Jesus loves you" on the rainbow armband.