Burnley have seen an offer to sign reported Liverpool target Johan Bakayoko turned down.
Bakayoko had a breakout season with PSV Eindhoven last season, making 10 Eredivisie goal contributions. This has led to suggestions that the likes of Liverpool are watching him very closely indeed.
But – according to reports last night – it’s Burnley who have taken the bold move of bidding for the 20-year-old. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, their offer of around £17m has been rejected.
“PSV Eindhoven have rejected Burnley new proposal for Johan Bakayoko,” says the journalist. “€20m [£17m] bid turned down as not enough to sell talented winger. There are more clubs keen on signing him.”
Following that up, Dutch journalist Rik Elfrik claimed, also on Twitter, that PSV are expecting Burnley’s offer to be backed up by other clubs. Perhaps even Liverpool.
“Burnley now wants to pay more than 20 million euros for PSV attacker Bakayoko, but PSV wants much more money for the Belgian,” Elfrik reports.
“New bids are still expected for Bakayoko, who is well represented by clubs from Naples to Liverpool.”
Burnley make Bakayoko move
Burnley’s late-night move for Bakayoko last night simply highlights just how strong the Premier League is at the moment.
They may have just come up from the Championship, but they’re still a likely candidate to sign one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.
That’s a frightening prospect for the rest of Europe, who must be sick of the sight of English clubs.
In terms of Liverpool though, they might be as well trying to get ahead in this one. Reports last night that Mohamed Salah may now leave Anfield have brought into focus the fact that the Reds don’t have a high-level back-up for him.
If the Egyptian were to go, Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have a natural successor in the squad.
That hopefully isn’t something that we’ll have to worry about. It still looks more likely that Salah ends up staying for another season at least. But with the squad already feeling on the thin side, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.
Described as ‘explosive’ by footballtalentscout.net, the left-footed Bakayoko could well be a candidate to take on that hefty mantle. If Burnley come back in, then perhaps Liverpool should do too.
