Liverpool could be set for a transfer spree in January after reportedly reaching an agreement to appoint Max Eberl as their new sporting director. The ex-RB Leipzig transfer chief is currently observing a period of gardening leave after he was sacked by the German club in September, with speculation strongly linking him with a job at Bayern Munich. But it is claimed Eberl is primed to leave his native Germany for a new challenge in the Premier League at Anfield…
Sports Zone say Eberl has agreements ‘in place’ with Bayern and Liverpool. But the terms of his departure from Leipzig prohibit him from taking a job with the Bundesliga champions and if he is not allowed to move there, he will take the role to work alongside Jurgen Klopp instead.
The Merseyside outfit employed Jorg Schmadtke as a short-term successor to Julian Ward following the Englishman’s exit, although the veteran German could step aside once Eberl’s move is finalised.
His work during his 14-year association at Borussia Monchengladbach caught the eye before an unsuccessful nine-month stint at Leipzig, and with that, Express Sport looks at which players the 50-year-old could look to sign if he takes the sporting director position…
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Mohamed Simakan
Signed from Strasbourg in 2021, the right-back looks to be a future France international in the making after establishing himself as a regular with Leipzig. He was chased by Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the transfer window, but the club managed to ward off interest from Europe’s elite.
Eberl made sure that Leipzig were protected with Simakan before his departure after negotiating a new long-term contract for the Frenchman, which now runs until 2027. But equally, he would have the inside track on the agreement – and would therefore know just how much the club would demand for the versatile defender.
A towering defender blessed with impressive pace and composure on the ball, he could prove to be an excellent addition to Jurgen Klopp’s backline – and perhaps a long-term solution to fill in at right-back if Trent Alexander-Arnold moves into midfield.
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Xavi Simons
With four goals and seven assists for Leipzig this season since arriving on a season-long loan from Paris Saint Germain, it would be a surprise if Liverpool weren’t already tracking Holland star Simons as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. And Eberl, who struck the deal to bring him to Germany, has already shown he is a huge fan of his talents.
After announcing his signing in August, Eberl waxed lyrical about the youngster: “We have been able to sign an exceptional young talent in Xavi Simons,” he said. “He is one of the top attacking midfielders in his age group in Europe and has everything needed to take the Bundesliga by storm with his individual quality.”
The only stumbling block could be PSG’s asking price. After paying a measly £6m to purchase him back from the Eredivisie giants, PSG know they can command a massive fee for the 20-year-old as one of Europe’s most promising attacking talents.
Manu Kone
Liverpool eyed a deal for Monchengladbach’s Kone in the summer before they opted to sign four other midfielders – Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch. Under Eberl’s instructions, they could revive a move for the French youngster.
Kone’s transfer from Toulouse in 2021 only saw him pen a four-year deal with the German club and there was some urgency on their part to extend his deal by a further year to 2026. But the 22-year-old knows he has other options available to him and the £50m-rated midfielder, who can play as a No 6 or 8, may decide to follow the man who propelled him into the limelight.
Sky Germany suggest both parties are open to a move in January if the financial terms are lucrative enough and if the No 6 position does become a problem area by then, Klopp may follow Eberl’s lead in choosing a player to target.
Lucas Gourna-Douath
Part of the sporting director role at Leipzig means being aware of the talents coming through at their feeder club, Red Bull Salzburg. Former Reds Naby Keita and Sadio Mane made their names there, as did current Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai, and now Gourna-Douath could be the next star to ascend from the Austrian club’s system.
Brighton were heavily linked with the Frenchman before plumping for Carlos Baleba from Lille instead. Gourna-Douath has continued to quietly go about his work with Salzburg in the Champions League and Austrian Bundesliga, but a move to Europe’s top leagues surely beckons for the 20-year-old.
He offers the defensive stability Klopp has been searching for in a No 6, with doubts over Mac Allister’s suitability to the role. Salzburg are unlikely to demand a huge fee to let him move for a bigger club, which could make him a genuine January target if the Liverpool boss is insistent on strengthening his midfield again.
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