Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ahead of the game in beating David Moyes and Spurs to one of the stars of the World Cup.
West Ham and bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur have shared a few column inches when it comes to transfers over the last year.
But Liverpool have given both the Hammers and Spurs chastening reminders of their place in the football food chain in transfer windows too.
It has been well publicised that Liverpool hijacked West Ham moves for both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. In the case of Diaz Moyes even admitted the deal to bring the Colombian to West Ham was all but done.
West Ham and Tottenham have also been linked with mutual interest in a number of players in recent windows from Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie to Filip Kostic and Daichi Kamada.
Another player reportedly being eyed by both West Ham and Tottenham ahead of the January window is Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
The defensive midfielder, who plays for Fiorentina, has seriously caught the eye during the tournament.
West Ham were actually linked with a move for Amrabat a few years ago when Manuel Pellegrini was in charge (Calciomercato).
And speaking in his column in The Times this week, Moyes – who needs to start looking for a replacement for Declan Rice – picked Amrabat out for special praise.
“I’ve been impressed with the energy, attitude and quality of their holding midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat,” Moyes said in The Times.
Tottenham have also, inevitably, been linked with Amrabat.
But clever Liverpool boss Klopp is ahead of the game in beating Moyes and Spurs to World Cup star Amrabat.
Because it has been revealed that the Liverpool manager met with the entourage of the 26-year-old BEFORE the Qatar World Cup.
Foot Mercato claim the meeting between Klopp and Amrabat’s representatives was “positive” and there is an agreement that the parties will meet up again after the World Cup.
The report states that Liverpool are not alone in their interest, claiming Tottenham remain interested after trying but failing to sign him in the summer. Foot Mercato also claims other Premier League clubs are vying for his signature – one of which could well be West Ham in light of Moyes’ comments and his need for a central midfielder.
Recruitment is half the battle in football. And it seems Klopp may have done it again by being ahead of the game on Amrabat, who few would have had the foresight and knowledge to predict would be one of the stars of the World Cup.
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