Liverpool have been handed a ‘boost’ in their pursuit of a Turkish international.
Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield has begun impressively, with the Dutch manager leading his team to 11 wins in 12 matches since joining Liverpool from Feyenoord in July, the only defeat coming against Nottingham Forest in September.
One of his biggest challenges has been missing out on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, despite prioritizing him during the summer transfer window. Consequently, Ryan Gravenberch has stepped into the defensive midfield position, earning praise for his strong performances.
With limited first-team options beyond Wataru Endo, Liverpool may consider bringing in one of Slot’s former players. Orkun Kokcu, now with Benfica after transferring from Feyenoord in June 2023, could be a target. He was instrumental for Slot in Rotterdam, contributing eight goals during the team’s league-winning season.
Liverpool has reportedly shown interest in Kokcu for some time, with Portuguese media indicating that Benfica would seek at least £67 million for his transfer to Anfield. Known for his ability to play both defensively and offensively in midfield, Kokcu’s versatility could be valuable for Liverpool’s demanding schedule this season. Recently, his father, Halis Kokcu, provided an update on his son’s situation in an interview with ESPN.
“Arne is a good friend of ours,” he said. “He has shared many experiences with Orkun [Kokcu]. Yes, a transfer is a possibility.”
He continued, “Right now, the priority is for Orkun to stay focused and perform well at Benfica. But it’s understood that players and coaches don’t remain at one club forever.
“In modern football, financial considerations and profitability are key. Orkun is a player who could yield a profit with his next move, and both the fans and the club support that. That was part of the plan. We’ll see where he ends up.”
Kokcu’s current contract extends until the end of the 2027-28 season.