Arne Slot could make Orkun Kokcu first transfer after Liverpool announcement
Liverpool could be set to make Orkun Kokcu the first signing of the Arne Slot era, according to Fotospor.
The report on 20 May reveals that Besiktas also hold a strong interest in the Benfica midfielder, but the Reds are poised to beat their Turkish counterparts to the 23-year-old’s signature.
Kokcu worked under Slot at Feyenoord before moving to Portugal and the incoming Liverpool boss is reportedly keen to be reunited with the Turkey international.
Would Orkun Kokcu be a good signing for Liverpool?
There is little reason to doubt that Kokcu could be a success at Anfield, given his considerable talents.
The 23-year-old is a versatile midfielder, who brings positivity, creativity and final-third threat to the side wherever he is deployed.
He racked up seven goals and eight assists in just 1,789 minutes of league football across 27 appearances, which works out to an impressive 0.76 goals or assists per 90 this season [FBref].
That level of production is no fluke, either. Kokcu averages – per 90 in league competition this season – 1.11 shots on target and 5.04 shot-creating actions, primarily comprised of dangerous passes.
Furthermore, the midfielder has produced 9.98 progressive passes per 90 this term, further evidence of his positive mindset with the ball wherever he finds himself on the pitch.
Liverpool do already boast a healthy stable of midfielders which includes Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones – among others – but with veteran Thiago departing, there may be room in the squad for one more talented player.
In other Liverpool news, Richard Keys has slammed “dreadful” Virgil van Dijk.
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