Liverpool are considering signing young Egyptian attacker Ibrahim Adel in January.
That’s according to 90min, who claim that a winter move for the 21-year-old is being ‘weighed up’ at Anfield.
Adel, who plays for Pyramids in his home country, is reportedly being monitored by ‘a host’ of top European clubs, including Liverpool.
It’s claimed that those clubs believe him to be the most exciting Egyptian prospect since a certain Mohamed Salah. In fact, Salah is said to be so impressed by the youngster that he’s told Jurgen Klopp to sign him. 90min report that Liverpool scouts were already ‘familiar’ with Adel before Salah’s recommendation, though.
They claim that Pyramids would be looking for around £5m for the forward. But should Liverpool make a move, Adel would have to be loaned out. He reportedly doesn’t currently qualify for a UK work permit right now.
Low-risk high-reward for Liverpool
As he wouldn’t be able to come into the first team straight away on account of work permit issues, Adel would be a signing for the future.
He certainly looks like a prospect. At twenty-one, he’s already broken into the Egyptian national team.
As far as comparisons go, it would feel lazy to lump him into the Salah bracket. It would also add unnecessary pressure onto a young player to emulate one of the game’s greats.
In that respect, perhaps a move to Liverpool wouldn’t do Adel much good. It would surely only heighten expectations that he could follow in his legendary countryman’s footsteps.
Because he wouldn’t be able to play straight away, this may make it difficult for him to live up to that tag.
Still, if he’s been recommended by the Egyptian King himself, he’s well worth running the rule over. The figures involved make it no gamble at all for Liverpool.
If he develops as Salah did, he’ll make a fine player. If not, Liverpool could still earn a good fee from him as they did with the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, who never played for the club during a six-year spell.
