Who is Jean-Matteo Bahoya? The speedster Liverpool are ready to sign

Liverpool have identified Jean-Matteo Bahoya as a target but just who is the Frenchman and why do the Reds want him?

Anfield Watch revealed exclusively that after the successful signing of Hugo Ekitike, Richard Hughes has his eyes on another Eintracht Frankfurt star.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya is on the club's shortlist and Liverpool are monitoring his contract situation as the German side look to tie him down.

From Liverpool's perspective, they are keen to bring in another left-winger and Bahoya fits the profile. He could be an alternative option to Cody Gakpo, but he's also got the potential to replace the Dutchman in the future.

Only 20-years-old, Bahoya has been at Frankfurt since January 2024. He caught the eye as a teenager while playing for Angers in Ligue 2.

He is Angers' 9th youngest player in Ligue 1, making his debut at 17 years and seven month old. He's not the only high-profile academy graduate from the French side. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mohamed-Ali Cho have also come through the ranks recently.

An excellent dribbler, Bahoya's biggest asset is his speed. The winger clocked a remarkable 37.16 km/h in a match against Bochum last season, which meant he was the first player to break the 37 km/h mark in the Bundesliga.

For comparison, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, had an average speed of about 37.58 km/h (23.35 mph) during his 9.58-second 100m world record.

Being quick enough alone is obviously not enough to make you a talented footballer. You also have to use your speed effectively. Bahoya is very much capable of this.

In the Bundesliga this season he's averaged 6.06 dribbles per 90 minutes and has the second best success rate with 73.08%. Only Bazouamana Toure has a better success rate at 73.33%, which is just marginally better.

But it's not just the dribbling and the speed, Bahoya is effective in the final third. Among left-wingers he has the second highest expected assists (0.32 per 90) this season. Overall, he's ranked 5th in the metric. Meanwhile, he's also ranked sixth for xG (0.34 per 90) and goals (0.47 per 90).

All together he has five assists and three goals in 687 minutes for club and country so far this season, meaning he's averaging a goal or assist every 86 minutes on the pitch.

Liverpool want to add more speed to their attack, so it makes sense why he's on the club's radar. He's quick, an effective dribbler and he can make things happen in the final third.

He has a high defensive work-rate as well, and he's useful at tracking back and winning his defensive duels. This season he's averaged 4 defensive duels per 90 and won 76.5% while also making 2.33 interceptions per 90 minutes.

It's important to mention that last season he struck up a brilliant partnership with his fellow Frenchman and now Liverpool forward Ekitike.

Bahoya has the most joint goal participations (4) with the former Frankfurt start out of any other teammate in his career. For Ekitike, only three other teammates have had more joint goal participations in his career so far but they've all played at least 1000 more minutes than Bahoya with the Liverpool forward.

So, there's a real chemistry between Bahoya and Ekitike, which is going to factor into Liverpool's decision making.

Ultimately, he's only 20-years-old, but the numbers are already impressive. Liverpool like to buy players from the Bundesliga. They have a tremendous track-record of doing this.

Bahoya could be the next potential gem. Although Frankfurt will likely do everything in their power to keep hold of him for as long as possible.

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