Date: 11th October 2024 at 9:57am
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With the international break now in full swing, Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be busy preparing for his side’s game against Chelsea next week. 

The Reds currently top the Premier League table after an impressive run of six wins from their opening seven games, but Enzo Maresca’s Blues will undoubtedly provide a tough test for the Merseyside outfit at Anfield.

Off the pitch, the Reds appear to be chasing a Turkish midfielder, but his current side aren’t willing to sell.

According to Portuguese outlet Record via GiveMeSport, Benfica are unwilling to sell midfielder Orkun Kokcu amid serious interest from Liverpool.

The report claims that Slot is a huge admirer of the 23-year-old and is pushing to sign the Turk, who he managed at former side Feyenoord.

Kokcu is a target for Liverpool

Kokcu joined Benfica from the Dutch side last summer and enjoyed an impressive debut season in Portugal, making 43 appearances across all competitions.

He has also played in all nine of Benfica’s matches so far this term, including Champions League ties against Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid.

Slot now wants to sign the midfielder for Liverpool, but a move may prove tricky.

The report claims that the player has a huge £125 million release clause in his current contract, which runs until 2028.

While Liverpool aren’t likely to have to activate that clause to sign the midfielder, it is suggested that Benfica will demand a fee in the region of £67 million for the Turkey international.

Benfica have become somewhat famous for selling players to big European clubs for significant fees, with Joao Felix, Enzo Fernandez and Ederson among the most high profile sales from the Portuguese club in recent seasons.

The Lisbon outfit have also done business with the Reds relatively recently, selling forward Darwin Nunez to Liverpool in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £62 million.

 
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