Rumor Mongering: Liverpool Planning January Raid For Dahoud?

The intense chatter over the summer regarding Liverpool’s interest in Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud never materialized into anything resembling an understanding between the clubs, and after Georginio Wijnaldum’s services were secured, it was widely assumed that the Reds would stay on the sidelines until next summer at the earliest. According to reports in the Express, manager Jürgen Klopp could be keen to revive this deal slightly ahead of schedule, by green-lighting a £25 million bid for the 20-year-old in January.

Those reports suggest that Liverpool scouts were at the Etihad recently to take another look at Dahoud up close during Gladbach’s Champions League fixture with Manchester City. It wasn’t the best of matches for either the German club or for Dahoud, as Sergio Aguero & Co. ran riot, putting four past Gladbach without any response by the visitors.

Positioned alongside Christoph Kramer in the middle of the pitch, Dahoud had a good view of City’s wide players wreaking havoc, and was not able to exert a great deal of influence. He did, however, reportedly cover a Lallana-esque 12+ kilometers over the course of the contest.

Dahoud’s discussions with Gladbach regarding a new contract beyond 2018 have thus far not yielded results, with director of sport Max Eberl conscious that it will be difficult to keep the midfielder. Further complicating the issue are rumors of a release clause that can be activated in the summer of 2017. With other clubs lurking in the wings, Klopp may be planning on nipping any bidding war in the bud with a bold outlay of cash in the winter.

Given the resurgence of Jordan Henderson in the early stages of this year’s campaign, as well as the emerging influence of Gini Wijnaldum alongside the captain, it’s difficult to see whom Dahoud would supplant in order to slot into the current side. Still, Dahoud’s qualities are ones that clearly mesh well with the squad Klopp is building, and a partnership with an aggressive ball-winner like compatriot Emre Can would certainly provide Klopp with a wealth of alternatives in the midfield. It seems Liverpool supporters may be in for an early start to the January silly season.