When Arsenal and Liverpool faced off earlier this season, the Reds’ loan signing Nuri Sahin was almost anonymous. The Turkish star was the subject of a transfer battle throughout the summer, as Brendan Rodgers’s side and the Gunners contested for his signature. After that game, I’m sure most Arsenal fans were wondering what all the fuss was about.
The likes of Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla blew the Reds lackluster midfield away and Sahin was ineffective at best. This looked like one that Arsene Wenger was right to avoid. Since time has gone on, however, Sahin has adapted to the pace and tempo of the Premier League and his influence is becoming more and more profound. Indeed, in his short amount of time in England, he’s already managed to establish himself as one of Liverpool’s key players.
He was the stand-out performer against West Brom last week, grabbing both of Liverpool’s goals and pulling the strings in the middle of the park. The way he links up with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez (Liverpool’s main men) is a sight to behold. He’s already grabbed three goals and 4 assists, a very healthy return.
I think it’s fair to say that he’s had to grow into his role in Brendan Rodger’s side. At the Bernabeu, he was a bit part player at best. At Anfield, he’s a leading man and he seems to be thriving in the spotlight. Real didn’t give him the opportunity that he deserved. Liverpool have, and he’s looking like the real deal.
My only worry, is that he’ll be granted these opportunities at Liverpool, only to go back to Real Madrid when the terms of his loan deal come to an end. I’m sure Madrid are monitoring his progress carefully. They’ll have taken note of just how good a young player Sahin is and probably wont want to sell him. If they do agree to let him go, you can bet that the Reds would have to cough up a significant fee to make it happen.
His performances this season just go to show that the Reds should have fought for a clause to be inserted into Sahin’s contract that would allow him to be bought for a set fee at any time, because in all likelihood, his price-tag is just going to rise and rise.
What’s your take? Is Sahin playing himself out of Liverpool’s price-range?
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He’s got 5 years left on his Real Madrid contract.
Mourinho has loaned him out so that he gets first team football before re-joining Madrid.
I suppose it will hinge a bit on Sahin to push through a deal if he feels he won’t get much of a sniff back at Real. He’s prob seen as a longer term replacement for Alonso there.
No player is out of LFC’s price range, but they will want value for money, so at the end of the season they will either buy or replace him because no player is irreplacable either.
No chance he’ll stay at Liverpool. 0%.