Liverpool have been warned against making a move for PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko, with the player not yet ready for life in the Premier League.
That’s according to journalist Wim Kieft, who has questioned why Liverpool would want the winger at this point in his career.
Bakayoko has found himself the subject of speculation about a move to the Premier League over the last week or so, with several reports indicating English clubs are interested in him.
The 20-year-old only made the step up to the PSV first-team last season but was a regular under Ruud van Nistelrooy, racking up nine goals and six assists in 39 games in all competitions.
Those are numbers which have made several clubs take a look, including Liverpool, who are reportedly eyeing up the Belgian as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has found himself being linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia and, in the unlikely even that happens, Liverpool are reportedly considering Bakayoko as the man to replace him.
Kieft cannot understand that logic, though, arguing that the youngster is nowhere near ready for life at Anfield.
“Why? Because you think you can pick him up now for €20m or €25m, and otherwise pay €60m in two years,” he said.
“Bakayoko has qualities as a right winger, but something different is asked in the Premier League than against FC Utrecht or Sturm Graz. In the encounter with the Austrians in Eindhoven, he continuously overtook his direct opponent.
“In one match he passed more often than in all his matches for PSV put together. Sturm Graz had not adjusted sufficiently to Bakayoko.
“He plays more safe when teams adapt to him. He often lacks guts, while he possesses the qualities to go inside and out. The latter is ideal for Luuk de Jong. A little more initiative wouldn’t hurt. But Liverpool at this stage of his career…”
