The Reds want to snap up Ayew when the transfer window opens…
Liverpool are interested in signing £10m rated Ghanaian midfielder Andre Ayew, who plays for Marseille in Ligue 1, reports the Mirror.
Newcastle United are also after the 23-year-old, who is comfortable playing in an attacking midfield role or from the left.
Here’s what the Reds could get, should they take a gamble on Ayew come January…
Ayew’s attributes:
The African midfielder is exceptionally strong. Although he is technically capable, his power and ability to win 50/50s is probably his main attribute.
Despite playing from the left, Ayew bullies and harasses opponents, and often wins possession back through sheer hard work.
He’s predominantly right-footed, so likes cutting in and joining up with play. Although he can occasionally play intricate passes, he prefers directly attacking opposition defenders with quick running and dribbling.
He also offers a significant defensive contribution, unlike Liverpool’s current attacking midfielders Coutinho and Victor Moses.
Where he’d fit in Brendan Rodgers’ side:
In the Reds’ current 3-5-2 formation, there isn’t a natural slot for Ayew.
The attacking midfielder prefers a free role from the left, but Liverpool create width through their wing-backs rather than wide midfielders.
This means Ayew would have to adapt to a no.10 role behind the potent strike duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, but he probably doesn’t have the technical ability of Coutinho to pull it off.
If Rodgers decides to revert to a more standard 4-2-3-1 formation, Ayew could start from the left, in an attacking midfield trio of himself, Coutinho and Luis Suarez, behind Daniel Sturridge up top.
Ayew’s season stats:
From ten games played, Ayew has scored twice, and assisted another. He’s also scored in the Champions League, but has picked up five yellow cards already.
He completes 81% of his passes, but has only made 12 key passes all season.
Ayew’s highlights:
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