Liverpool are among the English clubs said to be interested in Schalke midfielder Assan Ouedraog, who is available for just £12m.
Ouedraogo was first linked with a move to Anfield in October, when Liverpool were named alongside Bayern Munich, Milan, Brighton and Everton as suitors.
Shortly after, talks with the 18-year-old’s camp were announced in Germany, with one of several Reds clubs making contact with his representatives.
Eight months later, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claims Liverpool, Man United, Aston Villa and Newcastle have made contact to gauge interest in a move to the Premier League.
Plettenberg claimed on Saturday that Ouedraogo was “waiting for a call from Bayern” to determine whether he would move to Munich.
?Exclusive | The board of directors of FC Bayern decided NOT to sign Assan #Ouedraogo in the summer!
The squad of players has been officially informed by Bayern in the last few hours!
?? As always posted: It was never a done deal. A few finishing touches were missing. Max Eberl and Vincent Kompany are… pic.twitter.com/xNpzC9EaG5
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 2, 2024
But a journalist has since reported that Bayern had “officially notified” young man that he will not reach an agreement with Schalke.
That opened up the prospect of a move to Liverpool, who could exercise the £12m release clause in Ouedraog’s contract.
The clause is strictly for Premier League clubs and Plettenberg claims that it “must be activated by mid-June”, setting a clear deadline for stakeholders.
Ouedraogo made his debut for Schalke’s first team in July, becoming the club’s youngest ever player and goalscorer as he scored in a 5-3 defeat to Hamburg.
He has been used in a variety of positions throughout his young career, but has now settled in as a midfielder, drawing comparisons even to Xabi Alonso.
“The Schalke midfielder is more of a natural No.8 than No.6, and has the potential to be a difference-maker in games with his eye for goal and sharp passing range,” wrote GOAL’s James Westwood in a profile of Ouedraogo in April.
The teenager is 6’3″, but Westwood explained that he is “surprisingly agile for such a tall player and an accomplished ball carrier who has no problem working in tight spaces.”
His report continues:
“Schalke began to rely on Ouedraog to break through the lines in the first half of the season, and he is very difficult to stop once in full flow due to his explosive pace and close control of the ball.
“He also creates havoc when receiving the ball on the half-turn and has a very direct style of play, with a mature head on his shoulders that belies his tender years.
“As mentioned earlier, he is also a huge threat from the corners and has proven that he can be lethal with either foot when he steps into the box.
“There is every chance Ouedraogo can become a great goalscorer as well as a masterful all-round midfielder, and it won’t be long before he earns his first cap for Germany if he continues on his current trajectory.”
It remains to be seen, of course, whether Liverpool’s reported interest in Ouedrao will translate into a concrete move.
But with the clock ticking, we might find out sooner rather than later.
