Reports from Zambia and Spain suggest Liverpool are close to signing Patson Daka but Leicester City are reportedly considering a move to poach him from the Reds.
Liverpool are in the market for a new forward and Daka, a prolific centre-forward plying his trade with RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield.
We covered these links last week after claims were made that he could be announced as a Liverpool player imminently and while this is unlikely, there is definite interest in Daka and the club’s strong relationship with Red Bull could prove advantageous.
Zambian Football previously claimed that West Ham were the frontrunners to sign Daka and said that RB Salzburg wants £25million for his signature but the Mirror now suggests that as little as £17million could get the job done.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – DECEMBER 20: Patson Daka of Salzburg during the tipico Bundesliga match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and RZ Pellets WAC at Red Bull Arena on December 20, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Josef Bollwein/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
The Mirror’s Tom Hopkinson writes that Leicester City are “considering” a move to sign the Zambian forward with “Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for Jamie Vardy’s long-term replacement at the King Power.”
Daka scored 34 goals and assisted 12 this season but will be allowed to leave for a small fee despite his contract not expiring until the summer of 2024.
If he can translate that form to the Premier League he could be one of the best signings that Liverpool have made with Michael Edwards in charge and the sporting director has a long list of success stories.
While I still can’t see Jurgen Klopp making Roberto Firmino a benchwarmer, a front three of Sadio Mane at left-wing, Daka at centre-forward and Mohamed Salah on the right would strike fear into the hearts of defences around the country.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – SEPTEMBER 30: Patson Daka of RB Salzburg celebrates with teammate Andreas Ulmer after scoring his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-Off second leg match between RB Salzburg and Maccabi Tel-Aviv at Red Bull Arena on September 30, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
If Daka did move to Liverpool, he would likely need time to adjust to Jurgen Klopp’s tactics but once bedded in, he could be a thrilling player to watch.
RB Salzburg play a similar style of football which would help him adjust to life at Liverpool but Klopp’s tactical demands have historically seen him withhold unleashing the likes of Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for a few months.
As far as Leicester City is confirmed, unless Rodgers wants Daka as a squad option and not a starter, I’m not convinced he’s needed at the King Power Stadium. They’ve got Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and could even get Odsonne Eduoard this summer.
