Anfield Watch
·11 February 2021
Sporting director refuses to close the door on summer exit for Liverpool target
Sporting director refuses to close the door on summer exit for Liverpool target | OneFootball
Udinese sporting director Pasquale Marino has admitted that Liverpool target Rodrigo de Paul has qualities that many top clubs in Europe are looking for.
Marino is hoping that de Paul does not leave Udinese at the end of the season, but does not close the door on a potential exit as he adds that he will raise the level of any team he decides to join in the summer.
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Liverpool, Juventus, Leeds United and Inter are all reported to be keen on signing the central midfielder, who is valued at around £30m.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio 24, as transcribed by the Daily Mail, Marino responded to further speculation about de Paul’s future. “He has characteristics that many top clubs in Europe are missing.
“I hope it doesn’t happen, but whoever signs him next summer will raise their team to a different level.”
ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT
De Paul has been in phenomenal form for Udinese in the Serie A this season, which means it is no surprise to see the likes of Liverpool and Juventus looking at him as a potential signing. He has averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.34 in the Serie A across starts for Udinese, scoring five goals and assisting one whilst also averaging 2.5 key passes and 3.3 dribbles completed per game.
For context, Mo Salah is the only Liverpool player averaging a higher average WhoScored rating in the Premier League this season than de Paul is managing in Italy. De Paul’s 2.5 chances created and 3.3 dribbles completed per game also dwarfs Sadio Mane’s club-high 1.8 and 2.4 per game respectively. This suggests that de Paul could add an extra attacking emphasis to Liverpool’s midfield, with his ability to drift past players whilst in possession before being able to produce a killer pass at the end of it to create an opening.
With Gini Wijnaldum out of contract at the end of the season de Paul could be viewed as a replacement for the Dutch midfielder. If Wijnaldum does leave on a free transfer then there could be a space in central midfield for de Paul to come in and start at Liverpool next season if they are able to bring him in from Udinese at the end of the season.
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