Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu in their Champions League defeat to his former club Feyenoord in Lisbon last Wednesday.
Kokcu has become a key player in the Benfica side, especially since Bruno Lage replaced Roger Schmidt, who reportedly did not have the best relationship with Kokcu, in the hot seat, starting the Turkish international in all of their league and European outings.
Born in the Netherlands, Kokcu broke through Feyenoord's youth system and enjoyed two excellent seasons under current Liverpool boss Arne Slot in Rotterdam.
After reaching the Conference League final in 2022, Slot would then name Kokcu club captain for the 2022-23 season, where Feyenoord went on to win the Eredivisie title, before the midfielder departed for the Portuguese capital.
Liverpool 'step up interest' in Kokcu
Portuguese outlet Record claim that Liverpool representatives were present at the Estadio da Luz for Benfica's Champions League tie with Feyenoord last week to watch the player.
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Despite falling to defeat in that game, it was the first loss under Lage, as the side has won all seven other matches under the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss.
Kokcu has played a key role in those wins, contributing with five goals and two assists, and the 23-year-old was also part of the Turkey side that got to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Midfield is clearly one of the areas Liverpool want to improve, as their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi over the summer showed, but they were unable to add any new recruits in that window.
Kokcu's father adding fire to the rumours
Kokcu's father has been very vocal in the media about the transfer rumours surrounding his son too, claiming that a move is possible.
Father Halis told ESPN in the Netherlands: "Arne [Slot] is a good friend of ours. He has had many experiences with Orkun.
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"Yes, why not? It is possible," Halis added.
Benfica paid in the region of €25m (£20.75m) to sign Kokcu from Feyenoord, and Halis believes the club will be holding out to make a tidy profit on the player.
"In modern football, clubs think about finances, they think about making a profit. Orkun is a player who has the potential to take the next step. The fans and the club accept that, of course. That was also the project. Let's see where it ends up."
The player's father was also keen to stress that he should remain "focused on Benfica", but garnering a reputation as a selling club means the Portuguese giants will be willing to sell should the right offer come in.
Andrew Delaney
