Liverpool
Premier League • England
Growing belief Liverpool or Man Utd can sign Germany international and smash Haaland-style plan
A German forward who counts Europe’s biggest hitters among his suitors could join Liverpool or Man Utd in 2023 without a transfer fee being paid, per a report.
Germany may have started their World Cup campaign in dismal fashion, but good news was present in their 2-1 defeat to Japan.
18-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko became the country’s youngest ever player to feature in a World Cup. His appearance off the bench was his second for Germany having made his debut in a pre-tournament friendly against Oman.
Moukoko earned his place in Hansi Flick’s squad on the back of an eye-catching three months at Borussia Dortmund.
Moukoko has six goals and four assists to his name in the Bundesliga this season. Given many of his early-season outings were from the bench, those figures equate to a goal contribution every 76.7 minutes.
He’s viewed as the de facto successor to Erling Haaland in Dortmund, though they’re increasingly nervous over how long Moukoko will stay.
His current deal expires at season’s end and there’s been rampant speculation he could be on the move either in January or next summer if an extension isn’t signed.
Liverpool and Man Utd comprise the main interested parties from England. 90min report both clubs have been ‘watching him closely’.
Liverpool the frontrunners for Moukoko?
Football Insider previously put the Reds at the front of the queue given Jurgen Klopp’s past connection to Dortmund. The same outlet also claimed Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona are among his suitors. Bayern Munich have subsequently been linked with the German sensation.
Fabrizio Romano recently reported Dortmund and Moukoko are in discussions over a new deal. However, per 90min, fears are mounting the 18-year-old will walk away in 2023.
They state a ‘growing number of clubs’ now believe it’s a genuine possibility Moukoko leaves Dortmund as a free agent next summer.
Talks over fresh terms have been ongoing for over a year and are yet to bear fruit. Liverpool and Man Utd are namechecked as particularly interested suitors, though the greatest threat could come from Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have favoured high profile free agent additions of late in lieu of their financial struggles. Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin, Marcos Alonso and Franck Kessie all joined for nothing over the summer.
Moukoko could be available for free in seven months’ time and 90min claim the striker was a boyhood Barca fan – something Xavi and co. are all too aware of.
2023 exit would thwart Dortmund plan
If Dortmund do come to the realisation Moukoko won’t extend his stay, a cut-price January sale could be sanctioned. In that scenario, the English clubs with their greater financial clout would be favoured.
Romano noted Dortmund view Moukoko in similar fashion to former stars Jadon Sancho and Haaland, and current ace Jude Bellingham.
In other words, Dortmund want to get more than just a couple of years out of their superstar players, though do acknowledge they’ll have to sell eventually. When they do, they hope to extract maximum value and losing Moukoko for nothing would be a bitter blow.
In any case, Moukoko is expected to make a decision on his future one way or another in the coming weeks, most likely before the January window opens.