Moussa Marega has trurned down a contract with FC Porto (Getty Images)
According to the Liverpool Echo, Champions League winnersLiverpool have been linked with a shock swoop for Porto striker Moussa Marega in the summer transfer window, with reports claiming that the Portuguese giants are likely to hold out for a fee in the region of €30million to part ways with the 28-year-old.
Liverpool are not the only club to have been linked with a move for the Malian hitman, though, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that West Ham are also keen on securing his services.
Marega enjoyed yet another prolific season at Porto in the Portuguese top-flight this term and helped his club finish runners-up to Benfica in the Primeira Liga, whilst also playing a key role in their march to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The 28-year-old contributed with 21 goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Porto and his scintillating run of form in front of goal and put some of the English clubs on red alert.
Marega has been a revelation in Europe since his move to Porto from fellow Portuguese outfit Maritimo in the summer of 2016 and boasts of an eye-watering record for his current club, having bagged 45 goals and 19 assists in 100 appearances till date.
Regarded as a powerful and versatile centre-forward, Marega is capable of playing virtually anywhere across the forward line. Essentially a centre-forward by trade, the 28-year-old has also been used as a supporting striker in a No.10 role and out wide on either flank over the course of his time at Porto.
A fast, sharp and agile striker noted for his athleticism, supreme upper body strength, aerial ability and direct style of play, Marega likes to run at defenders with aggressiveness and often taken them out of the equation with his raw power and brute force.
A natural finisher blessed with a keen for key passes in the final third, Marega is not only adept at scoring at will but he is also more than capable of using short exchanges to link up with his teammates.
The 28-year-old also catches the eye with his poaching instincts and awareness in front of goal, having showcased the ability to find the net with both feet and head.
Marega, who is set to add to his 18 caps for Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations next month, certainly deserves a chance to prove his credentials in the Premier League, having already showcased his skills in the Champions League against top-quality opposition.
Agreed, he has all the raw attributes to fit seamlessly into the style of play prevalent in England. However, the main question here is- Do Liverpool really need him? And, would a move to Anfield suit Marega?
Well, with all due respect to his abilities as a versatile and powerful striker, one can’t help but feel that Marega would simply be a glorified bench-warmer at Anfield.
Of course, Liverpool won’t do themselves much harm by forking out 30 million to get the 28-year-old on board this summer and the Reds have every reason to look at him as a like-for-like replacement for Daniel Sturridge.
However, they need to understand that Marega would not necessarily fit into Jurgen Klopp’s plans, given the plethora of attacking talent already in the ranks at Anfield.
It’s hard to see Marega challenging the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for a role in the first team and we all know that Klopp doesn’t tamper with his lethal front trio too often.
Arguments that Liverpool need good enough back-up for their prolific front three have already been nullified by the move to offer Divock Origi a new deal, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri continues to be a useful impact player from the bench.
Now, it would have been sensible for Liverpool to invest in Marega had they not already secured Origi’s long-term future at the club. Given that Salah, Mane and Firmino are all very much in their prime, Origi and Shaqiri will only be expected to play second-fiddle to them in the pecking order and Marega should not expect any better than that.
At 28, he doesn’t fit the bill of a promising youngster, meaning Liverpool are not really looking at him as someone for the future, meaning that making a move for him goes against all logic and reason.
Looking at things from the Marega’s point of view, the Malian is very much at the top of his game right now and he wouldn’t want his prime years to be wasted away by constantly warning the benches at Liverpool.
The 28-year-old has hit the 20-goal mark with effortless ease over the past couple of seasons at Porto and he deserves to lead the line for a top European club but a move to Liverpool would only stall his progress, given the level of competition for places in the attacking ranks at Anfield.
As harsh as it might sound, it would be a pity to see him do next to nothing at Liverpool after enjoying such a prolific season in Portugal.
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