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Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook is a highly promising 21-year-old and while he’s not ready to make an impact for a top side just yet, there are many who believe he’s got the potential to do just that. It’s far too soon, though, to be talking about a move to a bigger club for the young Englishman.
That hasn’t stopped ESPN from forwarding that Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on him and could move for him this summer as a potential Emre Can replacement—citing sources close to the player himself for this information, which is an acknowledgement that rather gives the game away.
In the world of transfer rumours, there are some common sources and reasons why they get started—other than the times it’s just Diario Gol making it up. Buying clubs can leak information to placate fans, to aid in contract negotiations with current players—and sometimes information just leaks out.
Selling clubs can have similar reasons, though often there is an added focus on starting a bidding war for a saleable asset. Meanwhile, if the information is coming from the player’s end, it’s either an agent trying to drum up interest or one looking to get his current club to offer a better deal or more playing time.
In this case, it’s from the player’s end. Which means Cook wants a move, a better deal, or more minutes. Whether Liverpool have any interest at all in him is entirely beside the point. And while that may be unknowable, it’s not hard to look at Cook and see a player not yet ready for the next step.
Following an injury setback last season that stalled his development, Cook has made 20 league appearances this season with 17 of those being starts. Lining up mainly as a holding midfielder, he’s contributed two assists. As a Can replacement, he’s in a similar place to Liverpool’s own Marko Grujic.
He’s got promise, and some day he might earn a move to a Champions League side. It won’t be this summer, though—at least unless he wants to end up stuck on a bench somewhere—and it won’t be to Liverpool, though clearly his agent thinks it’s in his best interest if everyone thinks he might.