Liverpool have been trying to sign a left-winger for a while and in Jamie Gittens they may finally get their ideal choice.
The former Manchester City academy graduate has been catching the eye at Borussia Dortmund, very much following the path paved by Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.
Gittens has attracted the attention of several big clubs in the process, including Liverpool, who are understood to be admirers of the player.
Liverpool are also keen to sign a left-winger. Anfield Watch revealed exclusively that Luis Diaz will be up for sale in the summer and the club plan to bring in a replacement for the Colombian.
For a while now, Liverpool have tried to upgrade the left-wing role. In the January transfer window the Reds targeted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but in the end opted to not sign the Georgian.
With Gittens though, Liverpool’s decision might be different.
Jamie Gittens hands in transfer request
In a massive statement piece of news German journalist Patrick Berger has reported that Jamie Gittens has handed in a transfer request ahead of the summer window at Dortmund.
Berger states that Gittens wants to leave the German side and Dortmund have accepted that he will be on the move this summer.
His report also goes onto claim that Gittens will cost potential buyers a lot less than Dortmund’s previous asking price after he has had a poor second half of the season and that his preference is to join a Premier League side.
Currently, he is valued at €71m by Football Transfers but perhaps he could cost the Reds even less than that which would make him an absolute bargain.
Gittens has had a poor second half of the season but that may also be down to the fact that his head has turned towards his future and a move away from the Signal Iduna Park.
This shouldn’t deter Liverpool from making a move for the 20-year-old, who would be considered as a homegrown player in the Premier League and who would absolutely be an upgrade on Diaz.
Gittens is one of the most effective dribblers in the Bundesliga. He has completed the most take-ons (76) in the competition so far this season.
He also averages the most dribblers per 90 minutes (8.8) and has the second best dribble success rate among players who average at least five dribbles per 90 minutes (62.28%).
That one vs one ability is something Arne Slot wants from his wingers. At Feyenoord he always used very direct wingers who would be very traditional in their wing-play.
Gittens has that burst of pace and ability to change direction quickly that can create space for his teammates and breakdown even the most resolute defences.
His overall play needs to improve. He averages just 25 passes per 90 minutes and you would want a winger to make a lot more passes than that in the build-up under Slot’s system.
However, these are things that can be worked on. You wouldn’t expect Gittens to be the finished article at his age.
He does have assets though that means he could become an absolutely phenomenal attacker and that’s why this is a move that would make sense for the Reds.
Based on Gittens’ recent actions, it seems like he would be very open to that idea as well.