Chelsea OVERTAKE Liverpool in race to sign Turkish wonderkid

Liverpool are looking to freshen up the squad this summer, and on the back of the Premier League title win, the excitement around the club is at an all-time high.

Clubs might ordinarily spend plenty in the transfer market and then be well-equipped to go on and win a league title. From then, on their squad additions are likely to be low because they have a successful team.

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Whereas, the situation the Reds find themselves in is the polar opposite. No one expected this team to win, but the players fought incredibly hard over 34 games and have secured the coveted trophy against the odds.

As such, following three transfer windows of minimal spending, they are now free to splash the cash and attempt to strengthen the side ahead of an opportunity to retain their crown next season.

Out with the old, tried and tested, and in with the youthful exuberance of some of the talented and fearless players out there on the market. Liverpool's latest target typifies the new approach we're trying.

Interest in Yildiz heats up

Liverpool have been keeping an eye on Juventus' Kenan Yildiz for quite some time.

The 19-year-old has been rocketed into the Italian giants' first team this season, and his services have been heavily relied upon - as he has spent 3089 minutes out on the field so far in the campaign.

Across those minutes, he has delivered eight goals and four assists, while lighting up the field on the left-wing, leaving full-backs and centre-backs alike in a spin with his dribbling play.

One of his most impressive performances came against the former Premier League champions Manchester City in the Champions League during the 'league phase', as the young Turkish forward showcased to the world that he already has what it takes to excel against the best teams in the world.

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However, according to CaughtOffside, the Reds will be facing a lot of competition from a lot of their rival clubs in England, as Chelsea are reportedly leading with the way, followed by interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The latest update suggested that the Blues' efforts 'intensifying' and Yildiz is 'exploring his situation in case Juventus miss out on Champions League qualification'.

Furthermore, an asking price of around €100m (£85m) is being rumoured, so it will be a fascinating battle that will likely roll on throughout the summer, as the Turkish international can only be looked at as a 'statement signing' if he is to leave for a fee of that expense.

Liverpool are looking at bringing in a winger, as Anfield Watch understands that Luis Diaz is one of a trio of forwards who could likely be moved on this summer.

However, with Cody Gakpo able to fill in for Diaz straight away, any replacement for the Colombian would likely need to be a young player who could grow into the role.

But expectations can only be high for someone likely to cost a club-record fee, and when you consider the fact that a striker is more of a necessary purchase, then a deal for Yildiz simply doesn't make sense.

For a teenager, as talented as he is, that's too much money when his experience at a senior level is still relatively low and he is still not fully developed.

If his asking fee were to go down, then Liverpool might well look at the opportunity as a bit of a free hit - invest in a protege and if his Liverpool career doesn't work out, then he will still be subject to interest from other clubs in a few years time because his potential will still be huge.

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As mentioned earlier, youthful exuberance is something that the clubs keen to bring in, but the transfer have to make sense. If a deal could be ironed out with more favourable terms, then the newly-crowned title winners would surely top the list, but a deal right now is probably unlikely.