Rumour Mongering: Liverpool and Manchester City Target Jean Michael Seri

Over the summer, Liverpool were linked with Nice midfielder’s Jean Michael Seri as a potential Plan B when it became clear Naby Keïta wouldn’t be arriving—at least not in 2017. Those links never amounted to much more than a bit of rumour mongering, though, and faded as Barcelona began their move for Seri.

That move, though, broke down in rather bizarre fashion, with the Catalan club pulling out of negotiations at the last minute and leaving Seri feeling as though he had been abandoned by them. According to The Mail, with his Barcelona move having fallen through, Liverpool’s interest in the player was rekindled.

They claim the English club has sent scouts regularly to watch him in recent months, that Manchester City have also been keeping a close eye on Seri, and that now both could be prepared to put cash on the table to bring Seri to the Premier League in January—with Nice also said to at least be open to the sale of the player.

In the past, there has been talk of Seri having little interest in a move to England due to the fact he suffers from chilblains—painful swelling in his toes when it’s cold. This is further exacerbated by ingrown toenails, and has even with Nice required Seri to take painkilling injections any time they head north to play during the winter.

If Liverpool and City’s interest is real, though, and if Seri is now interested in a move—which the paper claims he is—it’s possible a solution has been found. If it has, Liverpool could certainly use a player of Seri’s quality to strengthen their midfield options, particularly given the uncertain futures of Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho.

For City, the need to bring in a player like Seri seems rather less urgent, but their finances and the presence of Pep Guardiola would certainly make for a tough battle to win the player’s signature if both clubs do move for him.