Long-shot expert worth £37.8m 'can imagine' a summer move to Liverpool

When quizzed about moving to Liverpool or Manchester United, Marcel Sabitzer said he could imagine a move to the Premier League in the summer.

While all supporters can talk about right now is Ibrahima Konate's desire to join the club, it could be that he moves to Merseyside alongside RB Leipzig teammate Sabitzer if reports are to be believed.

German publication Bild report, as translated and reported in England by Sport Witness, that Liverpool are looking to sell Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool have verbal agreement to sign Konate this summer

Our own sources suggest that Chamberlain is still valued and wanted by Jurgen Klopp but the link to Sabitzer is an interesting one. The Austrian midfielder would fit Liverpool like a glove, with Leipzig's style of play when out of possession very similar to the Reds.

More to the point, the long-shot expert plays a similar role to Georginio Wijnaldum with a few yet distinct differences.

Both midfielders are tasked with winning the ball high up the pitch and failing that, providing support for fullbacks when they go out to meet advancing wingers or opposite fullbacks.

The key difference is how they operate when in possession. Wijnaldum plays a very passive role in Jurgen Klopp's side, with the Dutchman instructed to value ball retention over playing incisive passes between the lines.

Sabitzer's role in the Leipzig engine room is more expansive and comes with more license to get forward.

His ability to score from long range is something that I'd love to see at Liverpool but I'm not sure it's something Klopp would encourage as he prefers his midfielders to focus on supporting the front three as opposed to getting in on the scoring themselves.

Speaking to Kicker, as quoted by the Express, the 27-year-old was quizzed about joining Liverpool or Manchester United to which he responded: "I can imagine it a lot."

He then replied to a question about playing in the Wijnaldum role at Anfield, saying: "I enjoy the position. The new position also changed my game again. In the centre, you will receive the ball more and you have to make faster decisions.

"However, I still have the urge to create something offensively."

Transfermarkt value the midfielder at £37.8million and given his age and what he can offer to Liverpool, this is a very reasonable fee.

He's scored seven goals and created six this season despite playing a more conservative role compared to last year when he ended the season with 16 goals and 11 assists while playing predominantly as a right-wing or attacking midfielder.