Liverpool will reportedly join a host of clubs in the race to snap up Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi this summer, after being priced out of a move for Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. According to the Mirror's Adrian Kajumba, the Reds "accept" they cannot afford the £75 million or more it would take to prise Aubameyang away from Signal Iduna Park—understandable for a player who has netted on 38 occasions this season and contributed a further five assists.[1] However, Batshuayi is expected to cost around £30 million, which is much more achievable. Liverpool will face plenty of competition for his signature from the likes of Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, though. The Belgian may not be able to match Aubameyang, but he has had an excellent campaign in his own right, scoring 20 times and assisting nine for a Marseille side lacking quality and not yet safe from relegation. Here's a look at some of his best moments: At just 22, he is among Ligue 1's fastest-rising stars and a real goal poacher. BT Sport's Julien Laurens believes he has the edge on Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette: @TikiTakaStyle[4] this season yes. And younger His price tag is perhaps still a little high, but as football writer Robin Bairner revealed, he has only just signed a lengthy new deal at the club: Finally some good news for #Marseille[6]. Michy #Batshuayi[7] signs new deal until 2020. Speculation he was leaving always v far fetched. Whether the contract will ensure he is there next season has been the subject of debate—Laurens expects him to move to England, while Bleacher Report UK's Andrew Gibney believes he may stay after making positive noises about doing so: Lyon vs Marseille is the occasion to see Lacazette vs Batshuayi. Two players Premier League-bound for next season. #Batshuayi[10] has declared his desire to stay at #OM[11] and become a club legend like Papin and Boksic. May be there next season. The Reds can offer him a much bigger platform to perform on and better players to feed off, though—as can his other suitors—and potentially even UEFA Champions League football, so they will be a tempting prospect for the youngster. He's still a somewhat-raw talent in need of refining, but if Batshuayi were to join Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings as Liverpool's forward options for next season, the club would likely be a much more potent attacking force. Liverpool will also do battle with Arsenal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach's Granit Xhaka this summer according to German outlet Bild (h/t the Mirror[13]), who give him an "80 per cent" chance of moving to the English top flight. The holding midfielder has had a strong campaign with Gladbach this season. According to Squawka[14], he has won 48 tackles and 83 headed duels in the Bundesliga, along with making 65 interceptions and maintaining an 85 per cent passing accuracy. His ability to avoid challenges has also been a particular highlight, as WhoScored.com revealed: Granit Xhaka: Of players to attempt 50+ dribbles in the last 2 Bundesliga seasons, Xhaka has the best success rate (83.8%) Bleacher Report UK's Clark Whitney believes he would be an excellent capture for the Reds, though DW Sports' Stefan Bienkowski feels the Switzerland international has perhaps been overhyped: SportBild: Liverpool have 1st meeting with Xhaka, who'd be a brilliant signing for any of EPL's top sides but esp good fit in Klopp's system @AlexChaffer[17] I'm not entirely sure Xhaka has been *that* good this season... *hides under a rock* Xhaka would add resilience and intensity to their midfield, though, and if Liverpool don't snap him up, one of their rivals almost certainly will. The 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, and if it lies at Anfield, the Reds will become an even more imposing prospect.
Where do Liverpool most need to strengthen?
References
- ^ Adrian Kajumba (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Share on Facebook (bleacherreport.com)
- ^ Share on Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ @TikiTakaStyle (twitter.com)
- ^< /sup> January 25, 2016 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Marseille (twitter.com)
- ^ #Batshuayi (twitter.com)
- ^ January 6, 2016 (twitter.com)
- ^ January 24, 2016 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Batshuayi (twitter.com)
- ^ #OM (twitter.com)
- ^ February 29, 2016 (twitter.com)
- ^ Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Squawka (www.squawka.com)
- ^ March 28, 2016 (twitter.com)
- ^ January 27, 2016 (twitte r.com)
- ^ @AlexChaffer (twitter.com)
- ^ April 3, 2016 (twitter.com)
Source → Liverpool Transfer News: Michy Batshuayi, P ierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Top Rumours
