Liverpool linked with Pape Demba Diop

According to Gerald Sagoe, the agent representing Zulte Waregem youngster Pape Demba Diop, there has been contact from Liverpool about the possibility of a transfer for the 19-year-old midfielder.

Liverpool look set to lose Fabinho in the coming days, with the Brazilian reportedly given permission to undergo a medical with Al-Ittihad after a £40m offer was accepted. Captain Jordan Henderson may yet leave as well, with the Merseysiders locked in negotiations with Al-Ettifaq over a transfer fee for the 33-year-old who has accepted the proposal of personal terms from the Saudi club. Therefore, despite the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the overdue midfield rebuild is far from over for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Diop shone for Senegal as his country won this year’s edition of the Under-20 African Cup of Nations, ending the the tournament as its top scorer with five goals in six matches. His defensive contribution along with the knack of getting into goalscoring positions surely make him an attractive prospect, and Liverpool are not the only top club in Europe to have expressed an interest.

However, it’s hard to imagine a player who turns 20 in September with a lot to prove being a direct replacement for the experience of the likes of Fabinho or Henderson. He might, on the other hand, represent a significant coup for the future.

“Towards the end of last season while he was busy with the national team we were contacted by Liverpool and we had preliminary meetings in Paris,” Sagoe told TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Three French teams have expressed interest and some Italian teams, including Napoli, have expressed interest. Together with my lawyer Alessandro Mazzucato, we will have some appointments in Germany in the next few weeks. Let’s see what happens.”