Liverpool to engage in £20m bidding war for title-winning midfielder
Aug 3, 2016 at 11:44 AM
Liverpool and Tottenham are both reportedly fighting hard to sign Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater, Daily Mail reports.
Drinkwater enjoyed a key role alongside N’Golo Kante in the centre of Leicester’s midfield during their historic Premier League triumph last season. Kante has since moved to Chelsea, and Drinkwater could now follow his former teammate out of the King Power Stadium, with both Liverpool and Spurs reportedly interested.
Although the 26-year-old is more likely to sign a new contract than leave the club, Leicester could be persuaded to cash in on the England midfielder, whose transfers value is certainly at its peak with Liverpool and Spurs both weighing up £20m transfer bids.
The former Manchester United midfielder ended the Premier League season with two goals and seven assists, and was included in Roy Hodgson’s preliminary squad for England before the Euros this summer, although he didn’t make the final cut for the tournament in France.
Tottenham’s midfield options have been strengthened over the summer with the arrival of former Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama, but the futures of Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason, and Tom Carroll all remain uncertain after they all experienced an indifferent 2015-16 season.
Spurs are hesitant to bid for Drinkwater, however, being put off by the midfielder’s age. Spurs have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, and Drinkwater would potentially walk into the squad as one the more experienced players in the side.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have already enjoyed a successful presence in the transfer market this window, with Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Loris Karius among their six transfer signings.
Despite that the Reds have been pondering a move for Drinkwater, who could challenge the likes of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner for a spot in Liverpool’s starting eleven.
Leicester have so far managed to keep hold of the majority of their star players from the 2015-16 season, although N’Golo Kante has left for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
Riyad Mahrez remains a Leicester player, but his future is still the subject of transfer speculation, with Arsenal reportedly interested in the winger.