Liverpool have joined the race along with Marseille and West Ham United to sign FC Porto striker Moussa Morega, according to the editor of Foot Mercato.
Posting on Twitter Sébastien Denis said: “Olympique de Marseille are eyeing up Moussa Morega.
“Andoni Zubizarreta (Marseille’s Sporting Director) has contacted FC Porto.
“Two problems, the Portuguese club claim they want €30million to release the player and Liverpool and West Ham are interested and better armed.”
The 28-year-old Mali International striker scored 21 goals and added 11 assists in all competitions for his club last season.
He also netted six times in the Champions League last season, making him the third highest goal scorer behind Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.
However, he failed to have any real impact in both legs of the quarter-finals against Liverpool, as the Reds went on to record a comfortable 6-1 win on aggregate.
Porto would reportedly accept a transfer fee of £26million for Marega, who is set to captain his country at the African Cup of Games next month, but Liverpool will have to fight off the interest from both Marseille and West Ham.
Good move for Liverpool?
Jurgen Klopp has two quality centre forwards in Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino, but he could be keen to add another forward with Daniel Sturridge likely to move on this summer. Morega has proved he is a clinical finisher in Liga Nos and we believe he would be a good replacement off the bench for Firmino. He is also playing at the peak of his career, as too is Firmino, who looks like he will be a Liverpool player for many years to come. Morega has had a standout campaign in Liga Nos – 21 goals and 11 assists make for startling stats – but he’s unproven outside of Portugal and would be a gamble.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
Morega would undoubtedly prefer a move to the six times Champions League winners than to West Ham United or Marseille, but we can’t see Klopp moving for him unless he’s seen something we haven’t. At 28-years-old he’s no spring chicken and Liverpool would be far better off promoting from the inside, with the likes of Harry Wilson surely ready to step up. We can’t see this one at Liverpool, but a move to West ham, who are looking to replace former Reds striker Andy Carroll, makes a lot more sense.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10