Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are apparently plotting a move for German playmaker Kerem Demirbay in the summer and are reportedly ready to meet the asking price of £28m set by his club. The Hoffenheim midfielder has been a revelation under the tutelage of 30-year-old head coach Julian Nagelsmann and is currently one of the most highly rated playmakers in the Bundesliga.
After moving from HSV in the summer of 2016, the 24-year-old has been a key figure in Hoffenheim’s creative department, helping the club finish in a respectable fourth place in his first season, scoring six goals and providing ten assists.
Even though Kerem Demirbay has come back to earth this season following an unreal debut season with Hoffenheim, he’s still one of the most intriguing players in the league.
Demirbay’s current contract with Hoffenheim runs until 2021 but the midfielder could be on his way out of the club sooner than expected with a host of clubs reportedly interested in his services, including the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool, in particular, have shown a lot of ambition to sign the German playmaker this upcoming summer, following the departure of Philippe Coutinho.
With no Coutinho, the Reds have been massively decimated in the midfield department and that’s where Kerem Demirbay comes into play.
While the Hoffenheim starlet may not possess the same dynamism and fluidity as Liverpool’s former Brazilian sensation, his creativity in the final third could be very helpful for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Demirbay is always on the lookout for that defence-wrecking pass and his great vision helps him to do so precisely, week in week out.
Furthermore, Kerem Demirbay has excellent close-control, which allows him to run past opposing defenders at will whilst also managing to carry the ball even in tight situations. In addition, the 24-year-old is also adept in Jurgen Klopp’s preferred Gegenpressing style of play, having been tactically honed under the guidance of the impressive Julian Nagelsmann.
Although Kerem Demirbay may not be a direct Philippe Coutinho replacement for Liverpool, at least in terms of quality, the Hoffenheim midfielder can always be a handy addition to the squad, considering the fact that the Reds do lack a bit of depth in the midfield department.
In addition, Demirbay isn’t expected to cost a fortune either, meaning the Reds can easily secure the services of the former Hamburg midfielder for a bargain. It will definitely be interesting to see as to how his transfer saga takes shape in the upcoming summer.