X

WORLD FOOTBALL

NEWSSCORESTEAMSTRANSFER RUMORSPREMIER LEAGUECHAMPIONS LEAGUELA LIGASERIE AMLSBR Sports on Max

    Liverpool Reportedly Face Barcelona, Bayern Munich Battle for Luka Jovic

    Christopher Simpson@@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistNovember 20, 2018

    FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 25: Luka Jovic of Eintracht Frankfurt looks on during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt at Schwarzwald-Stadion on August 25, 2018 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
    TF-Images/Getty Images

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly interested in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic but could face competition for his signature from Barcelona and Bayern Munich. 

    According to Bild's Roland Palmert (h/t the Mirror's Darren Wells), Jovic has caught Klopp's attention after a superb start to the season, which has seen him bag 12 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions and could try to land him in January.

    However, he has caught the eye of Europe's other elite sides, too, and Frankfurt board member Fredi Bobic said: "Our grandstand has been full of scouts from the absolute top clubs for weeks. They send their best people. I'll stay calm, that's also recognition for us. We will be noticed again in Europe."

    Jovic has only started nine matches, but he has been on fire in front of goal, averaging a goal every 70 minutes.

    The 20-year-old's numbers have been improved by a stunning five-goal haul he achieved in a 7-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf in October:

    Football on BT Sport @btsportfootball

    Luka Jović scored FIVE goals in Frankfurt's win last night... ⚽️ 26' ⚽️ 34' ⚽️ 55' ⚽️ 69' ⚽️ 72' He's a @FootballManager wonderkid for a reason ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://t.co/ihnr7dJbA3

    Liverpool Reportedly Face Barcelona, Bayern Munich Battle for Luka Jovic
    Video Play Button
    ✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon

    Nevertheless, he has backed that up with a further seven goals and three assists across his 14 other appearances this season.

    The youngster is having a breakout year for Frankfurt, having also netted seven of his nine goals for them last season in 2018.

    On this form, the Bundesliga starlet could make a fine back-up at Anfield, but according to Goal's Neil Jones the Reds are set to stick with their current cover options:

    Neil Jones @neiljonesgoal

    Some suggestions from Germany that #LFC looking at Luka Jovic (Eintracht Frankfurt). I'm told reliably that's not the case. Reds are not in the market for a young centre-forward with Brewster, Solanke, Origi at club - though Origi likely to move on Jan/summer.

    What's more, the Serb is actually on loan at Frankfurt from Benfica, which would likely preclude him from going anywhere in January.

    Per football journalist Chris Williams, it seems his stay in Germany will then be made permanent:

    Chris Williams @Chris78Williams

    Jovic to Liverpool? Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sporting Director, Bruno Hübner confirmed in late October that they have already agreed to take up their purchase option, written into the players two year loan deal from Benfica.

    Of course, there would be nothing stopping Frankfurt from immediately selling him on for a hefty profit, should Barcelona, Bayern or Liverpool come in for him.

    For now, though, he'd likely be best served by remaining where he is, as he'll enjoy much more first-team football in Frankfurt than he would at one of the elite sides.