Report: Liverpool join Newcastle in late push to sign £30m midfielder likened to Pogba

According to Melissa Reddy, Liverpool have shortlisted Newcastle target Manu Kouadio Kone as a potential signing ahead of the September 1st deadline.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Well, this would be a fantastic signing for Jürgen Klopp.

The France Under-21 international burst onto the scene for Borussia Monchengladbach last season when making 29 appearances in all competitions, and he has started the current campaign on fire.

Kone shone against Bayern Munich on Saturday as he helped Borussia Monchengladbach hold Sadio Mane’s new side to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, and now, Liverpool have taken an interest.

Reddy believes the 21-year-old is on Klopp’s radar along with Brighton wonderkid Moises Caicedo and RB Leipzig workhorse Konrad Laimer, after the German admitted he may have misjudged Liverpool’s need for a new midfielder.

It comes after some sources claimed that Newcastle are pushing to sign Kone ahead of the September 1st deadline.

Borussia Monchengladbach value their No.17 at £30m as a result of his impressive displays in the Bundesliga.

Interestingly, Marcelo Bielsa supposedly told Leeds to sign Kone while he was in charge at Elland Road – those on the recruitment team will surely regret not listening to the Argentine now.

LIVERPOOL OR NEWCASTLE COULD SIGN PAUL POGBA 2.0

Given the fact Kone only began to make people sit up and take notice of him last season, you may not know much about the Frenchman.

If that is the case, a helpful comparison has been made.

Kone is said to be a similar player to Paul Pogba, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The Italian news outlet made the claim due to the pair’s shared versatility in midfield, as well as their impressive upper-body strength.

In our view, if Liverpool or Newcastle fail to sign the Borussia Monchengladbach wonderkid now, they should expect to pay much more for him in a year or two.

Keep an eye on this situation, as Liverpool are expected to work through their three-man shortlist ahead of the September 1st deadline.