Man United and Liverpool learn target’s price tag

Leaders Liverpool travel to the south coast to face Southampton when the Premier League returns this weekend.

Arne Slot has enjoyed a fine start to life on Merseyside, and his side sit top of the table with a five-point lead over Manchester City after winning nine of their opening 11 games.

The Reds will hope to maintain, or potentially extend, their advantage at the top by beating Southampton at St. Mary’s, with Russel Martin’s side having picked up just four points so far this term.

Off the pitch, it appears that Liverpool are chasing a Champions League midfielder that Slot is very familiar with.

According to CaughtOffside, both Liverpool and fierce rivals Manchester United are interested in Benfica’s Orkun Kokcu.

The 23-year-old can play as a midfielder or on the wing, and his impressive displays in the Portuguese top flight have attracted attention from both Liverpool and United.

Kokcu is a target for both Liverpool and Manchester United

Fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be monitoring the Turkey international’s situation.

It is claimed that Kokcu, who joined Benfica from Feyenoord last year, would cost around £50-58 million.

Liverpool boss Slot is familiar with Kokcu from his time at former club Feyenoord, and the report suggests that the Dutchman is keen on the idea of bringing the midfielder to Anfield.

New United head coach Ruben Amorim will also be familiar with the midfielder from his time managing Sporting CP, Benfica’s fierce Lisbon rivals.

Despite this, it is also claimed that there has not yet been any contact made about a possible move for Kokcu, who has been capped 38 times by Turkey at senior level.

The interest in Kokcu comes after the Turk’s impressive debut season in Portugal, during which he registered a combined 18 goals and assists in 43 games across all competitions.

Kokcu is contracted to Benfica until the end of the 2027/28 campaign after signing a long-term deal when he joined the club last year.