Liverpool have been urged not to sign Morocco star Sofyan Amrabat - unless they'd scouted him long before the World Cup.
That's the warning Jurgen Klopp has received from none other than Anfield legend John Barnes, having watched the 26-year-old midfielder shine for his country during the tournament. Amrabat is touted for a move away from Fiorentina in the January transfer window and Klopp is said to have already met with his entourage as they reportedly discussed the potential for a transfer.
However, Barnes has advised Liverpool not to be so hasty if their interest is purely based on his displays throughout Morocco's magical run to the semi-finals.
"I thought he had a great World Cup but what clubs shouldn't do is look at the World Cup and say they're going to sign players based on those performances," the Kop icon told BonusCodeBets. "If they've (Liverpool) been tracking him for the last six months to a year, then great."
Given Liverpool's excellent recruitment record in recent years, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Reds had indeed been watching the Fiorentina ace long before he showcased his talents at the World Cup. Klopp has repeatedly insisted that Liverpool will only sign the right profile of player in January, despite their dwindling options in midfield.
That message was echoed by his assistant, Pep Lijnders, ahead of their EFL Cup fourth-round defeat by Manchester City on Thursday. "This is the press room not the board room. When Jurgen is next here, ask him," Lijnders told reporters of Liverpool's transfer plans. "For the right player, the right moment, the right feeling, we are always prepared."
Have your say! Would Amrabat be a good January signing for Liverpool? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
As for what's been said on Amrabat's side, agent Alberto Maria Jimmy Fontana recently spoke out regarding the player's future but remained tight-lipped on interest from Merseyside. "[Amrabat and I] speak constantly," Fontana told Radio Sportiva before Morocco were knocked out in Qatar by France. "Beyond the usual 'good luck' messages, I'm sending him the news from Italy about the rumours going around.
"Besides being incredible in the breaking phase of play, he also knows how to behave well with the ball and chain. Last year [at Fiorentina] he was slightly covered by [Lucas] Torreira, but this year, all of Florence is enjoying his qualities, especially after this first part of the season. Of course we like calls, but we have a lot of respect for the choices they are making in the club.
"The player still has a long contract [until 2024] in Florence, with an option to extend it further. I do not deny that the calls are coming in, but we are on very good terms with the management."
