All you need to know about Liverpool’s new target Gelson Dala

Liverpool fans enjoyed a summer transfer window of their dreams as they signed a number of high-profile players. As a result, the quality and depth of their squad have increased considerably. But if Liverpool are to reach the pinnacle of English and European football, they must invest smartly in upcoming transfer windows as well.

And it seems like Jurgen Klopp is already planning for the future as the club are linked with signing Gelson Dala (h/t – A Bola).

Background

Dala, 22, is an Angolan striker, who plays for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. He came through the ranks of C.D. Primeiro de Agosto, a local club. In the 2015/16 season, he scored 23 goals in 27 games and helped his team win the Girabola, the Angolan top-division.

Eventually, Sporting Lisbon snapped him up. Although he couldn’t break into Lisbon’s first-team immediately, he put in some stellar performances for Sporting’s B team. After scoring 17 goals in 23 games for the B team, he was signed by Rio Ave on a season-long loan this summer. Since his move, he has found the net twice in his four Primeira Liga appearances so far.

Dala has a great record for his national team as well, having scored 9 goals in 18 appearances.

What does the future hold?

Liverpool are already stacked up in the striker’s department right now. Roberto Firmino is the first choice centre-forward at the club, with Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke as the backups.

However, a recent report from Daily Express has claimed that Rangers were interested in signing Solanke in the summer. If Steven Gerrard does return for the young Englishman in the near future, Liverpool could utilize Dala as a backup option.

Read More: Why Liverpool have missed a trick by failing to loan out this 20-year-old attacking sensation

For now, however, Dala will spend the whole of the 2018/19 season at Rio Ave. But if he continues his impressive performances for the club, a move to Liverpool might not be very far.