New Liverpool sporting director given clear advantage in pursuit of transfer target
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a number of players looking to overhaul his squad this summer, including Borussia Mönchengladbach star Manu Kone
Liverpool’s decision to appoint a new sporting director could pay off immediately as they sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.
Jörg Schmadtke took up his new role at Anfield this week, replacing Julian Ward after a short 12-month tenure. But there won’t be much time for the German to get under the table as the club has a big summer ahead of them after a disappointing season.
The 59-year-old will be tasked with helping Jurgen Klopp step up his reinforcements. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Roberto Firmino are all heading for the exit. A deal for Brighton midfielder Mac Allister is looming, but that may just be the start of the summer signing spree.
And numerous German and French media now associate the Reds with Kone. The player joined from Toulouse two years ago and has impressed with 30 appearances this season, with his side finishing 10th in the Bundesliga.
And Liverpool’s ties to the club they once beat in a European Cup final may now have inadvertently grown stronger. German publication table football claims that Nils Schmadtke, son of Joerg, should take over the role of Mönchengladbach’s sporting director.
The 34-year-old previously worked for the club as a scout and also worked for FC Köln and VfL Wolfsburg. On the latter, he worked alongside his father, with possible negotiations now likely facilitated by family ties.
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Kone has played for France in the U18, 19 and 21 divisions, although he has not yet received a call-up to the full national team. His signing would be seen as a move from Klopp to left field, but also a move unlikely to break the bank as FSG are unable to match the financial strength of rivals Manchester City.
There are also few ties between the club with Declan Rice, but the asking price of £100m is a potential stumbling block. Mason Mount is another potential target, although Klopp faces stiff competition from Manchester United, who have reportedly agreed personal terms.