Perr Schuurs – The Empire of The Kop

The left-footed centre-backs Liverpool should consider signing, according to ChatGPT

Farrell Keeling — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:23:33 +0000

We’re at the midway point in November and already the transfer rumour mill has begun to creak back into life ahead of the January transfer window.

You’ve seen the likes of Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly to Sao Paulo’s Lucas Beraldo linked with a switch to Anfield amid Liverpool’s ongoing search for a left-footed centre-back.

In an attempt to build a potential list of feasible options, we at Empire of the Kop turned to ChatGPT for answers.

Following several attempts to regenerate answers to the same question (and find appropriate answers that met, or came close to meeting, the parameters) we came across the following list of footballers that (sort of) fit the bill for left-footed centre-backs under the age of 24:

1) Jean-Clair Todibo (23) (right-footed, sorry ChatGPT, but we’ll consider)

2) Perr Schuurs (23) (right-footed, sorry ChatGPT, but we’ll consider as a long-linked target)

3) Dan-Axel Zagadou (24)

4) Strahinja Pavlovic (22)

As a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk, a few key traits worth bearing in mind are:

Positioning (difficult to statistically represent, though it explains why the Dutchman makes so few tackles, registering in the 19th percentile compared to his centre-back peers, according to FBref)
Aerial dominance
Leadership capabilities
Strong passer

A look at the competition

Due to the limited data available for Pavlovic, we considered Schuurs, Zagadou and Todibo in direct comparison with our skipper.

The latter of the trio was, perhaps, more closely comparable to the Dutchman as far as his creative capabilities are concerned (78th percentile for shot-creating actions), proving an accomplished passer of the ball. However, the total lack of aerial prowess (15th percentile) will no doubt raise eyebrows amongst Liverpool’s data merchants.

Jean-Clair Todibo’s Nice currently sit second in the Ligue 1 table – (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Van Dijk’s Dutch counterpart in Torino likewise appears a reliable passer of the ball, though his limited number of passes per game is perhaps more of a reflection of his side’s style of play than an indication of limitations.

That said, Schuurs is surprisingly poor in the air (38th percentile for aerials won) despite being a sizeable 6’3″.

Dan-Axel Zagadou’s stats are perhaps the most intriguing of the lot. The 6’5″ Stuttgart defender is an aerial monster (with a capital ‘M’), surpassing our No.4 by registering in the 99th percentile for aerials won (4.61 per 90 compared to Van Dijk’s 3.99).

Of major concern, however, is the 24-year-old’s passing capabilities, the Frenchman attempts plenty of passes per game (93rd percentile) but has a completion rate of 85.6% per 90 (56th percentile). Likewise, we’d have some concerns over whether the player could replicate our Dutch colossus’ creative prowess (ranking in 34th percentile for shot-creating actions).

Who should Liverpool keep a close eye on?

We should stress that links to Dan-Axel Zagadou have been rather limited beyond 2022, following the centre-back’s switch away from Borussia Dortmund.

Though at 24 years of age (we’re pushing it with “young” here), one might wonder whether the former Signal Iduna Park operator would be the best fit – or even be open to the prospect of far less regular minutes at Anfield. Regardless, he’s arguably the standout pick of the aforementioned bunch.

Able to play both as a left-sided centre-back and as a backup left-back (a position he’s filled on 12 occasions, according to Transfermarkt), the Frenchman would solve more than one problem for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

It didn’t work out for Dan-Axel Zagadou at Borussia Dortmund – (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

That said, a series of injury struggles and niggles has seen Zagadou’s spend an inordinate amount of time in the treatment room, sending his value plummeting through the floor.

The Stuttgart man missed only seven games in 2022/23 and six the season prior, however – a distinct improvement on 47 games missed in 2020/21 for Dortmund.

It’s one potential gamble too far, perhaps, in light of the current issues Liverpool are having to deal with when it comes to Ibrahima Konate’s seesawing fitness.

This article has partly relied on information supplied by AI chatbot ChatGPT, which has been verified after use.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 12 Review : Tsimikas benching frustration, Palmer bargain? Time to sell Heung-min Son?

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‘Tore his ACL’: Liverpool transfer target now out injured for six months – Fabrizio Romano

Farrell Keeling — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 10:35:47 +0000

Perr Schuurs is now set for a lengthy period in the treatment room after tearing his ACL during a 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan.

Fabrizio Romano shared the upsetting news on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday afternoon, with the player out of action for the next six months.

Torino centre back Perr Schuurs tore his ACL and he will be out for the next six months.

Wishing Dutch CB speedy recovery — he’s been one of the best defenders in Serie A in the last year. pic.twitter.com/CN0IzhKdFs

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 23, 2023

The Dutchman had been linked with a Liverpool move during the summer window (Liverpool Echo) amid calls for the Merseysiders to strengthen their backline.

Heartbreak for Schuurs

We’ll never know if we did seriously consider the Torino man as a serious transfer target in the January window, though it now looks like Schuurs will have to wait a while longer should he wish to make any move away from the Serie A in future.

It’s an extremely poor bit of luck for the right-footed centre-back and we’d like to wish him nothing but the speediest of recoveries in what must be a challenging time for him personally.

There’s no doubt many will still be keeping a very close eye on him as soon as he returns to the starting-XI in 2024.

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Van Dijk loves centre-back cover Liverpool could sign for £30m – report

Farrell Keeling — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 14:56:37 +0000

Liverpool reportedly consider Perr Schuurs a reasonably priced potential centre-back option for the club this summer at roughly £30m.

Football Insider now claim that compatriot Virgil van Dijk is a ‘big’ admirer of the 23-year-old defender amid the Reds’ search for a left-sided centre-half.

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The player’s contract is set to expire in three years’ time, however, which could very well provide a significant obstacle when it comes to meeting Torino’s demands – should they veer wide of the aforementioned report’s estimations.

Beyond that, however, we do have a bigger concern to address with regard to the fact that Schuurs is not a left-footed defender, which begs the question as to why Liverpool would consider him in the market if we remain keen on someone who can provide cover for our talismanic No.4.

That’s not to suggest we’d be opposed to finding cover for Ibrahima Konate, of course, despite the availability of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

The fact of the matter is that we’re far from confident in either of the pair being capable of fulfilling the Frenchman’s role in the side – when we play with a hybrid fullback and the right-sided centre-half is effectively tasked with covering two spaces – this term.

That said, the drop-off from Van Dijk is most certainly sharper and perhaps trumps our needs across the backline.

#Ep86 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Liverpool given potential boost in chase for £34.5m target; club chief open to cashing in – report

Liam Togher — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 12:48:32 +0000

According to reports from Italy, Liverpool remain interested in one of their long-running summer transfer targets and may have been given a boost to their hopes of signing him.

Calciomercato have claimed that Torino president Urbano Cairo ‘will let’ Perr Schuurs leave if a club were to offer €40m (£34.5m) for the defender, although no bids of that amount have yet been tabled.

The Reds and West Ham ‘remain at the window’ for the 23-year-old, but one Premier League side no longer in the mix are Crystal Palace, who’ve opted out of the race after a €30m (£25.9m) bid was rejected by the Serie A outfit.

The Eagles ending their interest in the Dutchman could improve Liverpool’s chances of securing a move, with one competitor now out of the way.

Amid all the understandable focus on the Reds’ pursuit of midfielders, in particular Romeo Lavia and Andre Trindade, their defence is also a part of the squad which could do with some attention in the final three weeks of the summer transfer window.

Schuurs is comfortable with halting opposition attacks and bringing the ball out of play from the back, ranking among the top 20% of central defenders in Europe’s five main leagues last term for tackles (1.97) and successful take-ons (0.39) per game, as well as pass completion (88.1%), as per FBref.

He also stood out for Torino in pre-season with two goals, more than any other player in Ivan Juric’s side. In fact, two of their strikers didn’t find the net once in that time (Calciomercato), with the Dutch centre-back showing them up.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold quite viably being deployed in a midfield role, there’s a strong chance that Joe Gomez is selected at right-back. That could put a strain on Liverpool’s defensive options, especially in a busy campaign during which Jurgen Klopp will inevitably have to deal with injuries.

Even if the immediate focus is on a midfield addition, the Reds ought not to completely dismiss the possibility of strengthening their defence either, and this latest report on Schuurs could make him an increasingly attractive and attainable candidate.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Lavia ‘complication’, Mo Salah to Saudi? Kane could do Liverpool transfer favour, Andre latest and much more!

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‘This is not the time’ – Liverpool target’s coach desperate to thwart Reds in transfer pursuit

Liam Togher — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 08:48:12 +0000

Torino head coach Ivan Juric is determined not to let Perr Schuurs leave the club this summer, amid reported interest from Liverpool.

The Reds remain keen on a move for the 23-year-old, who is apparently uncertain whether or not he’ll leave the Serie A outfit this summer.

However, speaking after his side played Modena in a pre-season friendly, Juric voiced his eagerness to hold onto players like the Dutchman and his in-demand teammate Samuele Ricci.

The coach said (via Toro.it): “Right now we are inferior as players compared to last year. First we need to recompose ourselves like last year, then if there are transfers we need to be ready.

“I would be very sorry if Ricci and Schuurs left. In my opinion this is not the time, they are still growing. My idea is to keep everyone, bring back those from last year and then try to improve.”

Torino president Urbano Cairo has already sent prospective suitors like Liverpool a firm message regarding Schuurs, insisting upon a minimum outlay of €40m (£34.3m) to lure the defender from the Serie A side (Toro.it).

It’s quite understandable that they’d be determined to keep the player, who’s marked himself out as one of the best exponents of his position in Europe when it comes to ball distribution and breaking up the play.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 20% of centre-backs on the continent for successful take-ons and tackles per match, with 0.39 and 1.97 respectively, while he also posted an 88.2% passing success rate in the Italian top flight last season (WhoScored).

Torino have already seen a spate of departures this summer, including Ola Aina’s move to Nottingham Forest (Transfermarkt), so they may well be eager not to see Juric’s squad trimmed any further.

However, that shouldn’t deter Liverpool from trying to turn Schuurs’ head if they’re convinced he’s the right man to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s centre-back options, whether the 23-year-old’s current coach likes it or not.

#Ep83 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Liverpool not giving up in chase for 23y/o tank who’s hinted he may leave current club – report

Liam Togher — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 08:43:36 +0000

According to reports from Italy, Liverpool remain persistent in their pursuit of a summer transfer target who’s hinted that he could be open to a move.

Toro.it have reported that neither the Reds nor Crystal Palace are giving up in their hopes of landing Perr Schuurs from Torino, whose president Urbano Cairo has set an asking price of €40m (£34.3m) for the centre-back.

While the report stated that the 23-year-old has maintained ‘great dedication and professionalism’ amid the ongoing speculation over his future, the Dutchman has told fans of his current club that he’s unsure if he’ll stay put.

Amid the focus on Liverpool’s midfield over the past couple of weeks amid the departure of Jordan Henderson and prospective exit of Fabinho, it seems Jurgen Klopp is still seeking defensive reinforcements.

That should come as no surprise, with the Reds conceding 49 goals in the Premier League last term (the most in a full campaign under the German) and shipping six in their first two pre-season friendlies this month.

If Levi Colwill proves too difficult to lure from Chelsea, Schuurs could be well worth pursuing, even if he wouldn’t give LFC the predominantly left-footed centre-back they’re currently lacking.

The 6 foot 3 Dutchman recorded a passing accuracy of 88.2% in Serie A last term, with Virgil van Dijk the only Reds defender to post a higher return for that metric in the 2022/23 top flight (WhoScored).

The Torino powerhouse is also adept at breaking up opposition attacks, with a match average of 1.97 tackles placing him among the top 20% of centre-backs in Europe’s five main leagues for that quality (FBref).

With Schuurs seemingly leaving the door open to a potential exit, and Liverpool’s defence still with plenty of scope for improvement, Klopp may well be urging the Anfield hierarchy to push for the 23-year-old over the coming weeks.

#Ep83 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Italian outlet shares Perr Schuurs update amid Liverpool links; conflicts with recent reports

Liam Togher — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:40:47 +0000

Liverpool have reportedly been given a firm indicator as to how much they’ll need to pay if they’re to sign Perr Schuurs this summer.

Friday’s print edition of Tuttosport claimed (via Football Italia) that Torino are demanding at least €40m (£34.2m) for the defender, with Crystal Palace having offered €35m (£30m) and the Reds’ most recent bid amounting to €30m (£25.7m).

Il Toro are insisting upon their asking price so that they can fund their own summer transfer activity from selling the 23-year-old, with Nikola Vlasic of West Ham among their primary targets.

This reports conflicts with one from Calciomercato earlier in the week which stated that the Serie A club’s president Urbano Cairo may be willing to take a slight discount on Schuurs’ £34.2m asking price, but wouldn’t go below £30m.

While the various Italian outlets have shared contradictory reports over the past few days, what does seem clear is that Liverpool will definitely need to stump up somewhere in the £30m-£35m bracket for the Dutchman.

The Reds continue to be on the lookout for a new centre-back this summer, even though midfield may soon attract a greater focus following reports of potential exits for Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

It remains to be seen just how seriously the club will pursue Schuurs, and it may be dependent on whether Nathaniel Phillips departs amid reported interest from Leeds and Feyenoord, and whether other centre-back targets like Levi Colwill possibly fall by the wayside.

There’s also the risk that Palace will show greater intent in trying to land the Torino defender and beat Liverpool to the punch, but for now we’ll just have to wait and see if the Merseysiders can table an offer which’d be more to the Serie A club’s liking.

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Liverpool ‘preparing’ to move for Serie A defender; facing Premier League competition – report

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:53:54 +0000

It seems like our midfield transfers may be done for the summer but Liverpool fans are still hoping that a new defender could arrive and one man has been highlighted as a potential target.

As reported by Football365: ‘Liverpool are preparing a ‘new move’ for Torino centre-back Perr Schuurs in a bid to beat Crystal Palace to his signature.

‘Schuurs was first on Liverpool’s radar last summer and they attempted to persuade the Dutchman to join them before his £8m switch to Torino’.

The 23-year-old has attracted some attention around Europe and so there seems to be some competition for his signature, should we want to bring him to Anfield.

Perr Schuurs could be a strong long-term option for the heart of our defence, especially with Joel Matip seemingly set to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.

Torino look to be at least entertaining the idea of a sale and if our only local competition comes in the form of Crystal Palace, you would hope our pulling power would be greater.

Jurgen Klopp is famed for waiting for the right player and if we had already targeted the Dutchman last summer, then the chance of us wanting to re-enter the race could also be rather high.

This move may boil down to the ability to sign Levi Colwill, with the former Ajax man possibly standing as a fall-back for the Chelsea man.

With no dire need for a new centre-half yet, we may wait until the latter stages of this window to make a final decision on the position.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: TALKS ongoing with midfield target, Valverde transfer truth, Thiago exit latest, exciting Liverpool gem and much more!

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Liverpool transfer target reportedly favours Anfield move; club chief could make small discount

Liam Togher — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 10:23:31 +0000

One of Liverpool’s summer transfer targets is believed to prefer a move to Anfield over any other club, according to reports from Italy.

On Tuesday morning, Tuttosport claimed (via Sport Witness) that Torino defender Perr Schuurs favours a switch to the Premier League, with the Reds holding a greater ‘appeal’ than any of their domestic rivals.

The Merseysiders have already had a €30m (£25.7m) bid rejected by the Serie A outfit, who are looking for €40m (£34.3m), but Calciomercato reported that Il Toro president Urbano Cairo could offer a slight discount and meet in the middle at €35m (£30m).

If these reports are indeed accurate, it offers further encouragement to Liverpool in their hopes of signings Schuurs this summer.

There had been indications that an offer at Torino’s current asking price could make the club ‘question’ whether to cash in on him, so to now hear that the Reds might be able to land him for slightly less will be music to the ears of Jurgen Klopp.

The manager is believed to have told the Anfield hierarchy to stop at nothing in their efforts to sign the 23-year-old, who could be an ideal candidate to strengthen their centre-back ranks if Levi Colwill proves unattainable.

That could well prove to be the case with the latter, with Neil Jones telling The Redmen TV that Chelsea would be highly unlikely to let the Englishman go to a direct Premier League rival.

Even if Schuurs would fill the one remaining non-homegrown berth at Liverpool, whereas the Blues defender wouldn’t, he may end up being the more realistic prospective signing, while the Reds’ reported plans to sell one or two current players could also widen the scope to bring in the Dutchman.

Let’s wait and see if an improved offer for the Torino defender will come from Anfield in the next few days.

Ep79 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Dominik Szoboszlai – a mix of De Bruyne/Gerrard/Zidane?

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Liverpool learn what offer could tempt club into selling 23 y/o who Klopp badly wants – report

Liam Togher — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 10:31:10 +0000

Liverpool have discovered the price at which they could tempt a Serie A club into selling one player who Jurgen Klopp is most eager to have at Anfield, according to reports from Italy.

The print edition of Tuttosport claimed (via Sport Witness) that Torino are expecting the Reds to return with a follow-up offer for Perr Schuurs, having already turned down a €30m (£25.7m) bid for the defender.

Il Toro’s technical director David Vagnati has insisted that he wants at least €40m (£34.3m) for the Dutchman, but should offers of such value arrive, it could make the club ‘question everything’, with some prospective suitors likely to try and tempt the 23-year-old with ‘ultra-million salaries’.

Schuurs is currently in England to watch his sister compete at Wimbledon, with some suggestions that he could use his time in London as an opportunity for ‘market encounters’ with interested clubs.

If Klopp has his way, Liverpool will find the extra £8.6m to put on top of their original offer if they go back to Torino with another proposal.

The manager is believed to have instructed the Anfield hierarchy to try and sign the Dutch centre-back at any cost (Tuttosport, via Daily Express), and the gap between the Reds’ first bid and the Serie A club’s reported asking price is far from unbridgeable.

It’s well known that the Merseysiders are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this summer, and an outlay of just under £35m for a 23-year-old who’s already accrued Champions League experience (Transfermarkt) doesn’t seem gargantuan.

Torino appear willing to at least enter discussions if Liverpool – or anyone else – can meet their valuation of Schuurs, which should offer considerable encouragement to Jorg Schmadtke and his recruitment team in any efforts to sign the Dutchman.

We can expect Klopp to have a quiet word in the ears of the Anfield powerbrokers following this report, in the hope that the Reds will return with a bid which’d be attractive to the Turin outfit.

#Ep79 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Dominik Szoboszlai – a mix of De Bruyne/Gerrard/Zidane?

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Jurgen Klopp urges Liverpool owners to get deal done for £34m powerhouse – report

Liam Togher — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:33:42 +0000

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly urged the Liverpool hierarchy to do whatever it takes to sign one defensive transfer target from Serie A.

According to Tuttosport (via Daily Express), the Reds are ready to go back to Torino with an offer of €40m (£34.3m) for Perr Schuurs, having seen a €30m (£25.7m) bid rejected.

The 56-year-old is believed to have wanted the Dutch centre-back for more than two years already and has implored Anfield chiefs to get a deal done for the player at any cost, although Napoli are also in the frame for him.

Considering the track record Liverpool have in the transfer market during Klopp’s near-eight year tenure at the club, the board would generally be wise to heed the requests of the manager.

If he’s seemingly so keen to get Schuurs to Anfield, he must view the 23-year-old as someone who’d be a perfect fit for what he wants from his defence.

The 6 foot 3 centre-back is unsurprisingly dominant in the air given his height, winning two aerial duels per game last season in Serie A (WhoScored), while his tackling average of 1.97 per match ranks him among the top 19% of positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues in the last 12 months (FBref).

He’s also adept at retaining possession, with an 88.1% pass completion rate over the past year (FBref), so he seems to boast plenty of quality both on and off the ball.

Klopp appears to have made his opinion of the player very clear, so now it’s over to the hierarchy at Anfield to do whatever they can to try and grant the manager his wish regarding Schuurs.

#Ep79 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Dominik Szoboszlai – a mix of De Bruyne/Gerrard/Zidane?

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Liverpool told what they must pay to sign defensive target after bid rejected; another offer expected

Liam Togher — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 14:21:10 +0000

Liverpool have reportedly been given a price to pay if they want to land Perr Schuurs from Torino this summer, and they’re expected to go back in for another offer for him.

Italian outlet Tuttosport reported that a second bid of €30m (£25.7m) was rejected by the Serie A club, although the Reds are set to return with a ‘new proposal’ for the centre-back, who Jurgen Klopp apparently wants the Anfield giants to sign ‘at any cost’.

Il Toro’s president Urbano Cairo has indicated that he wants prospective suitors to stump up around €40m (£34.3m) for the 23-year-old, a figure the Merseysiders could be willing to meet.

Schuurs is believed to be in no rush to decide his future, although it’s noted that the Dutchman could find it hard to turn down the ‘irresistible’ lure of the Premier League.

Liverpool’s transfer window has so far been dominated by the pursuit of midfielders, but with two of those now signed and a third in Romeo Lavia being fervently sought, the focus could soon switch to defensive targets.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has said that the Reds will move for a left-footed centre-back as a ‘priority’ once they’ve completed their midfield summer rebuild.

Schuurs plays in the position specified and is very much known to the Merseysiders, having had a trial with LFC as a teenager (The Mirror); while he stood out for his prowess in the air last season, winning two aerial duels per game – a figure exceeded by just three players at Anfield (WhoScored).

However, a move for the 23-year-old would come with a couple of caveats. He’s mainly right-footed, just like all of Liverpool’s current centre-backs (Transfermarkt), and he’d take the final non-homegrown berth in the squad if he’s Klopp’s next signing.

Of course, the latter issue could be alleviated if exit-linked stars like Joel Matip or Thiago Alcantara depart, but it remains to be seen if the Reds will go back to Torino with a third offer for the Dutchman.

Some other dominoes may need to tumble first before they have the scope to go full throttle for Schuurs.

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West Ham ‘have spoken’ with €35k-p/w transfer target linked with Liverpool – report

Peter Kenny Jones — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:50:03 +0000

Liverpool supporters are hoping that a new midfielder will soon arrive at the club but there are also other areas of the squad that many think we need to strengthen, with one target for an alternative area possibly being attracted to another Premier League club.

As reported by 90min: ‘West Ham have spoken with with Serie A side Torino about defender Perr Schuurs, who impressed in his first season in Italy after a move from Ajax’.

There may then be some interest in this report as, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Reds were said to have been interested in the defender earlier this week.

It seemed that Newcastle were set to be the team that would rival us most for the signature of the 23-year-old but he may instead be heading to the Europa Conference League winners in the new campaign.

WIth Perr Schuurs reportedly earning €35,000-per-week at Torino (via Capology), it seems clear that he would want a pay rise if he was to move to the Premier League but the likelihood of more game time under David Moyes may sway his final decision.

As the summer transfer window progresses, we will continue our pursuit of new recruits to strengthen the squad.

Although missing out on the Dutchman may be disappointing for some supporters, we will no doubt be linked with other options and target players who can contribute positively to success in the forthcoming season.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: TWO midfielders at the front of the queue, truth about Tchouameni interest, Trent’s impact on transfers, and much more!

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Not just Barella: Liverpool and Newcastle could vie for another Serie A ace; lauded by EPL winner

Liam Togher — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:32:45 +0000

A recurring theme which has emerged among recent transfer rumours is for Liverpool and Newcastle to both be linked with the same player from Serie A, with another example coming to light on Tuesday.

Following on from reports suggesting that the two clubs have been in for both Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan and Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina, Torino defender Perr Schuurs also appears to be of mutual interest on Merseyside and Tyneside.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Premier League duo have entered the race to sign the 23-year-old, with the last two Italian champions in Napoli and AC Milan also believed to be interested in the Dutchman, who joined Il Toro from Ajax last year.

Schuurs being linked with Liverpool is nothing new – in fact, he had been mentioned as a possible target for the Reds as far back as 2020, and he even had a trial with the club as a teenager.

The 6 foot 3 was a regular for Torino last season, starting 28 Serie A games and making 33 appearances in total for the club (Transfermarkt), while he was previously hailed as a ‘great Dutch talent‘ by former Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars, who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1998.

He stood out for his no-nonsense defending, averaging two successful aerial duels and a squad-high 1.7 tackles and 3.2 clearances per game, returns which would’ve placed him among the top five at Anfield for each metrics in 2022/23 (WhoScored).

However, one potential minus point to Liverpool signing Schuurs is that he’s predominantly right-footed, a trait which also applies to every current Reds centre-back (Transfermarkt), so Jurgen Klopp may prefer to bring in a left-footed option if he’s to strengthen the ranks in that position over the summer.

Nonetheless, we can only wait and see whether the Merseyside club push hard to try and sign the Dutchman. Having been beaten to a place in the Champions League by Newcastle this year, LFC could be yearning to get a measure of revenge by snaring one or more of the two teams’ shared transfer targets.

Exclusive: Jacque Talbot’s Liverpool transfers update: Liverpool & Newcastle in for Kone, Thuram latest, likelihood of Lavia move… and more!

The post Not just Barella: Liverpool and Newcastle could vie for another Serie A ace; lauded by EPL winner appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool add ‘first CB to outmuscle Mane’ to ‘list of transfer targets’ – report

Peter Kenny Jones — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:42:15 +0000

Liverpool supporters are aware that the midfield seems to be the main area that we are focusing our transfer ambitions on this summer but adding a central defender is also on the agenda and a new target seems to have been located.

As reported by CaughtOffside: ‘Liverpool have added Torino defender Perr Schuurs to their list of transfer targets this summer’.

The Dutch defender has been an impressive addition to the Serie A outfit and it is stated later in the story that negotiations could begin for around ‘€20-25million’.

The 23-year-old gained a lot of praise from our supporters when we played against him during his Ajax days in 2020, with some fans stating he was ‘the first CB I’ve seen outpace and out-muscle Mane’ (via Tribuna).

Since then, Perr Schuurs has held down a place at Torino making 30 league appearances in the past campaign and the fee in question is rather reasonable for a player with three years left on his current deal.

Playing for the Dutch Under-21 side, ties with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo will be obvious and by signing a younger central defender – we could help bridge the gap of Joel Matip who is likely to depart next season at the end of his contract.

With midfielders being the priority for now, it’s likely that there won’t be an imminent move for the centre-back but he could be an option towards the end of the current window.

Exclusive: Jacque Talbot’s Liverpool transfers update: Liverpool & Newcastle in for Kone, Thuram latest, likelihood of Lavia move… and more!

The post Liverpool add ‘first CB to outmuscle Mane’ to ‘list of transfer targets’ – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.