Rumor Mongering: Liverpool and Chelsea Battle Over Bournemouth Midfielder

It’s official: this international break has gone on one day too long. When the lads are away (on international duty) the rumor mongers come out to play, and today’s reports are no different.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Liverpool and Chelsea are in for 22-year-old Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.

Cook only recently returned to action for the Cherries, after being sidelined since last December with knee ligament damage. Since returning he has just 91 league minutes in 3 appearances.

“Sportsmail understands that both Liverpool and Chelsea have identified the former Leeds star as a target, should he prove his form and fitness this season,” the report states.

The phrase “...should he prove his form and fitness” seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Of course, we wish Cook a continued recovery, but it seems an unlikely target for Liverpool who a) don’t have a pressing need in midfield, b) already have a midfielder recovering from a long-term knee injury, and c) have swerved midfielders with past knee issues before (hi there, Nabil Fekir).

Regardless, it is a rumor that is out there. So.

Is it time for the Manchester United-Liverpool match yet? Seriously, this wait is torture.