Liverpool backed to complete €70million deal to sign star Jurgen Klopp called ‘young and exciting' in 2021

Former Liverpool right-back, Glen Johnson, has backed Bukayo Saka to complete a move to Anfield after being linked with the Reds earlier this month.

Widespread calls have been made for FSG to invest in the squad and improve its quality in depth in key areas and AFCON has exposed how weak Liverpool's attacking depth is.

Saka identified as a target for Liverpool and is open to Anfield switch

According to Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window podcast, Saka is a target for Liverpool and both he and his agents are open to a move to Merseyside.

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He said: “Liverpool would provide the opportunity and platform for him to play and compete at the highest level.

“And that would certainly be something that I’m told he and his representatives are very interested in.”

Glen Johnson urges Saka to move to complete 'complex deal' with Liverpool

Signing Saka wouldn't just improve Liverpool's depth but it would give Jurgen Klopp the chance to play Salah down the middle as a striker if need be.

“I do think it’ll be an expensive transfer to pull off because Arsenal wouldn’t want to sell one of their best players to a rival,” Johnson said, via the Metro:

According to Transfermarkt, Saka is worth €70million (£58.5m) which is a tremendous amount of money to spend on a backup player but if he's being nurtured as Salah's long-term heir to the throne, it could be worth it in 3-4 years.

Johnson continued: “As he’s a fantastic player, a young player and English then it would have to be a big deal. In terms of Liverpool and the player being interested in a move then I believe that for sure but I just think it would be quite a complex deal to pull off.”

“I do think it would be a good move for Saka because any chance you get to sign for one of the best teams around, as a young player, it’s going to be appealing. I think the way that Liverpool play will suit him down to the ground.”

Saka deal unlikely but would underline Liverpool return to the top

While Liverpool have won the Premier League and Champions League under Jurgen Klopp, we are yet to see the Reds dominate in the transfer market and stealing a player like Saka from a rival like Arsenal would certainly count.

With Mikel Arteta facing the daunting task of rebuilding the Gunners, his crown jewel in Bukayo Saka would represent a major steal and as much as Liverpool might want him, shopping in the Premier League is expensive.

Which is why I imagine the Gunners would probably ask for more than his Transfermarkt valuation.

Prior to beating Arsenal 4-0 in November last year, Klopp called Saka a very ‘young and exciting player’.