With official channels yet to solidify Liverpool’s rumoured interest in Timo Werner, a move for lesser-known Joaquin Correa might well be on the cards.
A topic of much debate over the past few months, Timo Werner‘s supposed move from RB Leipzig to the red half of Merseyside looked to be gaining traction with every passing day.
However, amidst a halt to football as we know it, it seems a new name is on the lips of Liverpool fans and journalists alike.
With a large drop off in quality between the usual Liverpool front-three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah, and their backups, the club has been making moves to strengthen this department.
Recent recruit Takumi Minamino joined from RB Salzberg in the January transfer window and it is believed a further high quality addition to Liverpool’s strike-force would make for sufficient squad depth.
Timo Werner’s in all competitions:
2016/17 – 21 ⚽️ – 7 🅰️
2017/18 – 21 ⚽️ – 10 🅰️
2018/19 – 19 ⚽️ – 10 🅰️
2019/20 – 27 ⚽️ – 12 🅰️28+ G/A every season since he was 21 years old, and this season isn’t even complete pic.twitter.com/dZfypIvqTd
— Carson (@WC_LFC_Torres) April 20, 2020
However, it is another of Red Bull’s sides which has been much under Liverpool scrutiny in recent times.
Leipzig, where one Timo Werner currently resides, was the former club of Reds’ midfielder Naby Keita.
Following a hard-fought slog in which the Guinean star spent a further year on loan in Germany, he eventually made his long-awaited switch to his new parent club.
While the rumour mill has rumbled on, spouting word of Keita reuniting with his former teammate, it seems Liverpool might have turned their attention to something of a cheaper alternative.
The widely acclaimed ‘Moneyball‘ model of the club, instilled by their owners FSG, will undoubtedly encourage Liverpool to opt for a bargain with potential, over an expensive risk; just take a look at the likes of Joe Gomez and Andrew Robertson.
Therefore, with a supposed €53 million buyout clause in his contract, Werner’s Liverpool transfer may well be scuppered in preference of a move for another:
Jürgen Klopp has watched Lazio striker Joaquin Correa since his time at Sevilla, and has been really impressed by his development over the current season. Liverpool could try to sign him in the next transfer window. [@ilmessaggeroit] pic.twitter.com/KDAwRB3Ir7
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 25, 2020
As a versatile, fleet of foot attacker blessed with great ball control, Joaquin Correa looks a tail fit for a Liverpool side largely stretched in the attacking third.
At 25 and with his best years ahead of him, Jurgen Klopp will surely be jubilant at the prospect of acquiring Lazio’s Argentinian ace.
Though, it seems Liverpool might be holding an ace or two of their own up their sleeves.
Liverpool are keen on Lazio attacker Joaquin Correa, and the Serie A club may be willing to sell for a lower fee if Liverpool waiving the clause in Luis Alberto’s contract that gives the Reds 30% of any sale. [Citta] pic.twitter.com/mwuv9WD6mk
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 25, 2020
The lesser-spotted Luis Alberto was something of an enigma during his time at Liverpool.Arriving from Barcelona ‘B’, the midfield prospect made a grand total of nine appearances for the reds over three years, spending two of those on loan in his home country of Spain with Deportivo la Coruna and Malaga respectively.
Upon his return to the North West of England, Alberto was quickly dispatched to Serie A’s Lazio for a modest fee of £3.6 million in the summer of 2016.
Little did he know however, that a year later he would be followed by another of Liverpool’s midfielders – cult-hero Lucas Leiva.
Famed for his talent of conceding free-kicks in and around his own penalty box in the dying seconds of games, Lucas seemed better suited to the slower pace of Italian football; his triumphs since then certainly support this theory.
Both midfielders have enjoyed success in Italy’s carbonara capital, raising two Coppa Italias and a Supercoppa during their time at the club.
Lazio celebrate their Supercoppa Italiana win with their supporters 🎉 pic.twitter.com/TguqJxrvQn
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 30, 2019
However, with a contractual agreement to a lofty 30% stake in any future sale of the highly sought after Alberto, Liverpool may be willing to waive their partial ownership for a reduced fee on his attacking partner.
If Liverpool are interested in Lazio's Joaquin Correa, it is possible Liverpool may forfeit the 30% sell-on clause they have on Luis Alberto for a discount on Correa.
As it stands, if Lazio sell Luis Alberto, 30% of the transfer fee goes to Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/ywJJdQhypx
— LazioLand (@Lazio_Land) April 24, 2020
Time is running out on Werner’s buyout clause with a reported deadline of 15th June.
The question is, with Liverpool holding all the cards, might the European champions take a gamble on the proven goalscorer or capitalise on a deal already struck to land a promising new recruit in the form of Correa?
Both Werner and Correa are proven talents, but will their suitors choose to stick or twist?