Reports are circulating that Jurgen Klopp wants to add Ousmane Dembele to his Liverpool squad. However, it is likely that his signing would take a considerable transfer fee, and that is one of many reasons the Reds should not go after the French winger.
Ousmane Dembele Not Needed at Liverpool
No Place at Liverpool
Liverpool already possess considerable depth on the wings. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are the men currently in possession of the positions and their remarkable goal tallies mean that it would take a lot for any player to displace them. Would a player of Dembele’s quality really want to play second fiddle to them?
Xherdan Shaqiri has already found this to be the case during his time at Anfield. Despite his talent, he has found himself on the bench in the majority of games. Liverpool have already added Takumi Minamino to the squad allowing for another option out wide. Klopp has also utilised Divock Origi on the left of the front three when resting one of the regulars.
This reported transfer makes no sense for either Liverpool or Ousmane Dembele as a result. His fee would be too expensive for a squad player and it is unlikely that he would see much game time. Dembele would be better served with a transfer elsewhere.
Pathway for Youth
The young attackers in Klopp’s ranks already face a tough job breaking into the first team due to the talent of those already mentioned. Liverpool are a club where if you are good enough, you are old enough. Dembele’s signing would only serve to further block the passage of youth players into the first team.
Harry Wilson is currently impressing on loan at Bournemouth, in the context of the overall disappointing season the Cherries are having, and will hope to break into the Liverpool first team when he returns to Anfield next season. Harvey Elliot has also impressed whenever he has played, suggesting that Liverpool are set in terms of attacking depth for the foreseeable future.
Transfer Budget
Liverpool, for all their strengths, are not a club which can splash out on luxury players which the squad has no need for. The club would be better served using the money that Dembele would cost on improving the squad elsewhere.
For example, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, for all their talents, are injury prone and another centre back would not go amiss. The squad is also woefully lacking in cover at full-back, with James Milner having to occasionally fill in. Dembele would be a signing reminiscent of Riyad Mahrez at Manchester City; a player who can provide quality but ultimately was not needed.
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