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Liverpool have been linked with Schalke’s Max Meyer since the German attacking midfielder was 18 years old. Now 20 years of age, Meyer is in his third season as a mainstay for the club, having scored three goals and five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
This follows a six goal, 37-appearance 2014-15 season and a seven goal, 41-appearance 2013-14, his breakout season for Schalke. Meyer may be young, but he’s already an established name in German football, and the sky seems the limit for the young star. And Sports Bild are saying he’s heading to Liverpool.
Meyer was reportedly a favourite of the transfer committee in past windows, and the arrival of Jürgen Klopp at Anfield seems to be reason enough for the young German to be linked once again. This time out, though, he would cost more than the last few times he’s been linked—a hefty £22.5M fee is being reported.
It’s not unreasonable given his age and how impressive he’s been in one of Europe’s top leagues, but given he plays at Liverpool’s one position of genuine depth it will likely raise eyebrows. If Meyer was more comfortable on the wing or had spent time at striker, the latest set of rumours would make more sense.
As it is, he plays at a position the club already have Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, and Adam Lallana at, not to mention players like Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Emre Can who are all also capable of pushing forward to fill a central attacking midfield role. Meyer is good, but he doesn’t seem necessary.
Still, if the money is there such that it doesn’t impact any other moves the club might want to make at positions of greater need either now or in the summer, it would be hard to pass him up. And perhaps, as with the signing of Klopp in the autumn, the club see January as their best chance to land the talented youngster.
Or perhaps it’s just a case of a German paper re-linking a German player who’s been linked to Liverpool in the past now that the club have added their new German manager to the mix. Still, rumours that Liverpool was interested in Meyer in the past did seem well founded, which makes it hard to dismiss completely.