Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa is literally the perfect winger for Liverpool at the moment.
He’s rapid, skilful, works hard, can play on either the left or right flank and makes a tidy contribution to the goals and assists charts.
The 26-year-old Brazil international was phenomenal under Pep Guardiola last season, but Carlo Ancelotti plays a more rigid formation and has preferred Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery or Thomas Muller in the wide areas.
SEE MORE:
Jurgen Klopp criticises Simon Mignolet amid suggestions Karius will be recalled
For this reason, Costa is unhappy and has intimated that he’d like to move at the end of the season.
“I cannot comment on names, but there are contacts with teams from England, Spain and also France. But we respect Bayern. First we want to get together with them and look at what they think of it, and then we make a decision,” he told Eurosport.
“I am still under contract with FC Bayern until 2020, I have three more years. Of course, football is a business, Bayern simply has to accept a bid and the others pay what they have to pay.
“I think England is one of the biggest football leagues in the world – fantastic! Just like Spain’s La Liga also, with big players, big teams.
“The language is easier in Spain, but England also has great players. For me it is the best league in the world.”
There’s no suggestions we’re one of the clubs who’ve mooted an interest, but with Jurgen Klopp’s knowledge of the German league and Costa’s position, ability and availability, we’d be surprised if he’s not at least under consideration.
Of course, for a player of Costa’s ability there’ll be plenty of competition, but with Coutinho and Roberto Firmino knowing their fellow attacker from the Brazil squad – we may have a way in.
The club would be foolish not to at least explore this avenue, as if the recent run has proven anything, it’s that we lack world-class players. Costa isn’t in this bracket, but he’s mighty close.
Guardiola may fancy him at City and Chelsea have previously been very keen as well, so we’d have to do some exceptional work to get a hypothetical deal over the line.