Arne Slot is reportedly interested in signing one of his former Feyenoord players after his impressive form for his new club.
Life at Liverpool could hardly have started much better for Slot.
His side currently sit top of the Premier League and have two Champions League victories from two games against Serie A sides AC Milan and Bologna.
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Perhaps the biggest challenge the Dutchman has faced at Anfield so far was the Martin Zubimendi saga. The Spanish midfielder was lined up to be Liverpool’s marquee signing in the summer, but the deal fell through when the player decided he wanted to remain at Real Sociedad.
As a result, Liverpool signed just two players in the form of Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili. The latter was loaned straight back to Valencia for the rest of the 2024/25 season while Chiesa has slowly adjusted to life on Merseyside.
Ryan Gravenberch has filled the ‘number six’ role well following Zubimendi's decision to stay put but Slot is thought to still want to add to his squad in midfield areas.
And Slot is set to turn to one of his former players to help fill the Reds' midfield void.
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Liverpool are reportedly interested in Orkun Kökçü, according to the Portuguese outlet Record. The Turkish midfielder previously played for Slot during his time at Feyenoord.
The report in the Portuguese press suggests the Reds sent scouts to Benfica’s recent 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The central midfielder was an integral part of Slot’s 2023/23 Eredivisie-winning side. He scored eight goals and registered two assists during an impressive season for the Rotterdam-based side and has previously attracted interest from Manchester United.
A series of consistent performances earned him a move to Portuguese giants Benfica in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee that could reach £30 million with add-ons considered.
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Kokcu's contract is set to run until 2028, but a €150 million (£125 million) release clause could prove difficult for Liverpool to match.
But the report also suggests that a fee of £80 million could be enough for Benfica to accept if a club was to come forward with that amount.
The Turkish international can play in various midfield positions but stressed his disappointment at Benfica manager Roger Schmidt’s tactics in March 2024.
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"Schmidt ties me too much to all kinds of defensive tasks,” he explained.
“And that is not positive if you really want to get the most out of my qualities. I am the type of player who finds solutions in the area, who thinks very quickly and makes the team progress.
"Even this season, all my statistics underline that. I can do much more for Benfica, and that may be where part of my frustration lies. I was irritated and disappointed with that.”
However, since then, the player has mostly played on the left of a midfield three instead of his preferred ‘number 10’ role.
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Record added that Liverpool 'won't let go' of their desire to potential sign the 23-year-old but there is nothing to indicate an offer for the player is imminent.
Luke Davies