Kokcu to Liverpool: Reds set for £67m transfer swoop? Whisper+ verdict

Latest developments

Liverpool are targeting Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu.
The Turkish international could be available for £67 million.
Kokcu played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord before heading to Portugal.

Whisper+ analysis

Authenticity (4/5): Local source strengthens the possibility

Liverpool have made Turkish midfielder Orkun Kokcu one of their primary January targets and reunite Arne Slot with one of his key players from his time at Feyenoord, even handing him the captain's armband in Rotterdam.

That is the word of newspaper The Liverpool Echo, which cannot be taken as gospel, but their local knowledge will count for something.

Value (3/5): Benfica willing to negotiate under release clause

The bad news for Liverpool is that Benfica have reportedly agreed a €150 million release clause with the 23-year-old, who is under contract until 2028.

The good news, however, is that the Lisbon side are willing to let him go for €80 million (£67 million), but given his current Transfermarkt valuation of €28 million, would that actually be good business for Liverpool, or were Benfica a little overambitious with that clause?

Suitability (4/5): Can slot into Slot's midfield

An all-round centre-midfielder who can fill in at defensive midfielder, too, Kokcu has been playing slightly higher this season, in the middle of an attacking three in Benfica's 4-2-3-1 formation.

This mirrors the formation that Slot has used at times this season, when he hasn't gone with a 4-3-3, which Kokcu can seamlessly fit into.

Upgrade? (2.5/5): Liverpool have central options

Though Dominik Szoboszlai has had his critics this season, he remains the number one attacking midfielder at Anfield, with Curtis Jones pushing him ever further. In the middle, Slot is spoilt for choice with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and – when fit again – Harvey Elliott.

Kokcu looks destined for the top, with two UEFA Champions League goals already this season and approaching 40 caps for Turkey, but he will still struggle for a look-in on Merseyside.

Logic (3/5): Kokcu greatly admires Slot

“Arne Slot is like a father. He made me who I am. He is the best coach in the world.”

Those words from a recent interview show what great admiration Kokcu has for the Liverpool boss, and clearly Slot thinks highly of the Turkish playmaker, having made him his captain at Feyenoord so young. But given the inevitable competition at Liverpool now, this might not be quite the right time to work together again.