'Arne Slot is a good friend' - Liverpool handed boost in race for Champions League star as father admits £67m transfer 'is possible'

Posted Friday, October 25, 2024 by Goal.com

Liverpool have been handed a major boost in the race for Benfica's Champions League star with his father admitting that a £67m transfer "is possible".

Liverpool seeking midfield reinforcements
Reds have shortlisted Benfica's Orkun Kokcu
Has previously played under Slot at Feyenoord

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Record - via the Standard - Orkun Kokcu has been on the radar of Liverpool for quite some time. The Turkey international played under Slot during their time together at Feyenoord, where the midfielder was a pivotal figure in the Dutch side’s success. He made 97 appearances for the Rotterdam-based club under Slot, contributing 21 goals across two seasons.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After his impressive spell at Feyenoord, Kokcu made a high-profile move to Benfica in 2023 for a reported fee of around £20 million. He has already made his mark in the UEFA Champions League this season, scoring crucial goals against Crvena Zvezda and Atletico Madrid. In addition to his European exploits, Kokcu has been equally influential in the Primeira Liga, where he has registered two goals and three assists.

WHAT KOKCU'S FATHER SAID

In a recent interview with ESPN NL, Kokcu’s father, Halis Kokcu, did little to downplay the transfer rumours, suggesting that a move to Liverpool could indeed be on the horizon. When asked about the possibility of his son joining the Reds, Halis said: "Arne is a good friend of ours. He has been through a lot of things with Orkun. Yes, why not? It’s possible."

DID YOU KNOW?

However, Benfica are unlikely to part ways with the midfielder easily, and any potential transfer would reportedly cost Liverpool at least £67m. This gives hope to Halis that the Portuguese giants will be open to selling the midfielder if the right offer comes in.

“The most important thing now is Orkun’s focus, that he does well with Benfica,” he said. "But of course, players and trainers don’t have just one station, the staff knows that too. In modern football, clubs think about finances, about making a profit. Orkun is a player who has the potential to make a profit with the next step. The fans and the club are also fine with that, of course. That was also the project. We’ll see where he ends up.”

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

After tasting European success against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, Liverpool are set to face Arsenal at Emirates on Sunday.