Rumor Mongering: Liverpool Keeping Tabs On Houssem Aouar

With the actual footballing season winding down, the rumor mongers are finishing their preseason, and gearing up for a busy summer. Last summer, word was out early and often that Liverpool were in for Lyon standout midfielder Nabil Fekir. This summer, the Reds might be back in Lyon for a midfielder, but for Fekir’s teammate, 20-year-old Houssem Aouar.

French publication Le10Sport are claiming this morning that Jurgen Klopp is desperate to sign the young midfielder.

French football journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi also tweeted out this morning in a direct response to Liverpool blogger Sam McGuire, “I wanted to inquire before answering you. Liverpool loves Aouar. But there are no concrete discussions for the moment. Regarding the Aouar dossier, the whole of Europe is looking at it, but it will accelerate in May.”

It seems as if the Reds are keeping tabs on the situation, but if the rumored €120 million release clause is true, it might prove a hurdle (depending on other transfer plans).

Aouar has apparently impressed during his second full season with Lyon’s first team. He has 7 goals and 7 assists from 39 Ligue 1 and Champions League appearances, playing predominantly in a central midfield role.

The price might seem a bit steep, but with several midfielders on or approaching the wrong side of 30, Klopp might be looking more toward the future. Though, for €120 million, you’d hope for more than “one for the future.”

If Liverpool are in for him, it sounds as if Kloppo will have some company in the race for his signature. And if Klopp can convince him, let’s hope his knees aren’t made out of string cheese and held together with duct tape.