According to a report by Caught Offside, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Orkun Kokcu. However, the Reds have an advantage in the battle for the Benfica midfielder’s signature. Meanwhile, the Portuguese giants will demand around €40 million to part ways with the 2000-born Turkish midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Orkun Kokcu has been one of the most appreciated midfielders in the world since rising in prominence at Feyenoord. The Haarlem-born midfielder served the Eredivisie outfit as the club captain and represented them for nearly a decade before embarking on an adventure in Portugal by joining SL Benfica in July 2023.
The 24-year-old has come leaps and bounds in the last two years, turning out nearly 100 times thus far for SL Benfica while chipping in with 19 goals and 22 assists. Meanwhile, Kokcu’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
The three Premier League clubs hold a long-standing interest in the Turkish international, and Tottenham can do with a player like him amid uncertainties surrounding Yves Bissouma. The former Feyenoord captain can be an upgrade on the Malian midfielder due to his creative skills and leadership ability.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Orkun Kokcu is understandable. While Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have formed a top-class partnership in the middle of the park, Arne Slot wants more options for the midfield unit heading into the 2025/26 season. That will help Liverpool sustain a challenge on all fronts next term.
As for Manchester United, Christian Eriksen has departed from Old Trafford as a free agent. In addition, Casemiro faces an uncertain future at the Premier League club. So, Kokcu is a viable target for Manchester United as they look to fortify the midfield unit in the 2025/26 season. Meanwhile, Benfica will demand around €40 million to part ways with the 2000-born midfielder.
While forking out €40 million should pose no problems for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham, the Reds hold an advantage in the chase. The report has claimed that Kokcu would prefer joining Liverpool due to the appeal of reuniting with Arne Slot. That has been a long-standing notion, but Manchester United and Tottenham can guarantee regular game time.
