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Klopp stunned as Liverpool discover Aston Villa competition for next midfield signing after asking price reveal
Liverpool have learned how much they will have to pay to sign Kouadio Kone this summer – but also that two of their Premier League rivals are keen on him, according to a report.
Also known as Manu Kone, the midfielder is one of the next targets on Liverpool’s agenda after the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. Jurgen Klopp wants to reinforce the position further after losing James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Reports have indicated that Liverpool have already held talks with Kone’s representatives. Now, the Daily Mail has revealed that his current club, Borussia Monchengladbach, would like to receive a transfer fee of £35m for the Frenchman.
That said, Liverpool are not the only potential bidders (nor is he their only remaining target, since the likes of Khephren Thuram and Gabri Veiga are also under consideration). Per the report, it has now emerged that Aston Villa and Wolves are also keen on Kone.
Both clubs from the Midlands have supposedly registered their interest in Kone, though it is not yet clear whether that is with his representatives or his current club.
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Borussia Monchengladbach have Kone under contract until 2025, with the option of a further year. They are not able to offer him any European football next season, though.
In contrast, Liverpool will be in the Europa League and Aston Villa will be in the Europa Conference League. Wolves, for their part, have also not done enough to reach a UEFA competition.
Kone set for first Premier League experience
After previously breaking through at Toulouse and then progressing with Borussia Monchengladbach, Kone now seemingly has three routes into the third country of his career. Either Liverpool, Villa or Wolves could give him his first taste of Premier League action.
The 22-year-old played 30 times in the Bundesliga for Gladbach this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He was in the Bundesliga’s top 10 for most tackles per game, having shared his gametime between a central midfield role and a slightly more defensive one.
Therefore, if he was to join Liverpool, he could put pressure on Fabinho for the starting spot as a holding midfielder in Jurgen Klopp’s setup. Alternatively, he could feature on either side of the deepest midfield player, just like Mac Allister will be.
But Villa and Wolves will have their own plans for how Kone could fit in for their own systems as well.
Perhaps the added competition will play into Gladbach’s hands if they can ignite a bidding war between his three suitors in the Premier League. They will probably be bracing themselves regardless for Kone’s potential departure. It just remains to be seen where to.
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The article Klopp stunned as Liverpool discover Aston Villa competition for next midfield signing after asking price reveal appeared first on Teamtalk.com.
