Liverpool are lining up Bayer Leverkusen starlet Leon Bailey as an alternative to long-term target Thomas Lemar, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper report that the Reds have cooled their interest in Lemar, who prefers a move to Barcelona, and have now trained their sights on 20-year-old Jamaican forward Bailey.
The Mirror claim that jet-heeled Bailey is rated at a massive £100million by Leverkusen, for whom he has scored 10 goals this season.
It is said that Liverpool will have serious competition for Bailey, with Premier League rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all regularly scouting the speed machine.
Good move for Liverpool?
Purely for footballing reasons, yes.
Bailey has burst onto the scene this year with his form for Leverkusen, and the 20-year-old will be one of football’s hottest properties this summer.
His pace and trickery on the wing is allied with a keen eye for goal and a decent final delivery, and he is certainly an exciting prospect.
However, if he is going to cost anywhere close to £100million, then Liverpool should look elsewhere, as there is no way to justify that price tag for a player who has had one good season in his career.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Well, if Leverkusen genuinely demand that kind of money for Bailey, then no.
But if they are more realistic about his price tag, and Liverpool are indeed keen on the 20-year-old, then a move could materialise.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10