Liverpool want 17-year-old sensation dubbed 'the new Xabi Alonso' - and he's available at bargain price: report

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Liverpool are looking to a teenage superstar who has his pick of European giants to choose to play for

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on October 21, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
(Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are chasing a midfield starlet compared to the likes of Xabi Alonso and Michael Essien, as Jurgen Klopp looks to steal a wonderkid ahead of the rest of Europe.

A couple of years ago, the Reds had one of the older squads in the Premier League. Klopp has successfully lowered the average age, however, by replacing the likes of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino with Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. 

With a vibrant young core at their fingertips though, it appears Liverpool are preparing to bring in even more exciting teenage talent – without breaking the bank.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool have successfully lowered the average age of their squad with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Assan Ouedraogao can leave in January for under €12 million. 

Ouedraogao, born in May 2006, is still not 18 but has forced his way into Schalke's first team with eye-catching performances from midfield. The official Bundesliga website have compared him favourably to former Liverpool great Xabi Alonso, now coaching in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, and former Ghana linchpin, Michael Essian. 

VIDEO: Why Dominik Szoboszlai Is Already Liverpool's Most Important Player

Now, Italian transfer oracle Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Merseysiders' interest in the star, too. 

“There have been reports about Liverpool being keen on Schalke youngster Assan Ouedraogo, and yes it’s true that Liverpool like him,” Romano said on his Daily Briefing.

Assan Ouedraogo of FC Schalke 04 in action during the Second Bundesliga match between Karlsruher SC and FC Schalke 04 at BBBank Wildpark on October 22, 2023 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Assan Ouedraogo is in high demand (Image credit: Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

“But it’s the same for Bayern Munich and AC Milan. They are all informed on his situation, on his release clauses – he has different ones based on the clubs interested. I think he has great potential, he’ll need some time to develop but he looks a very good player.”

Ouedraogo is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €6m.

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.