Liverpool battles with Bayern Munich to sign a versatile playmaker.

Assan Ouédraogo of Schalke has been linked to Liverpool, but it now appears unlikely that the teenager will join the Reds as a transfer to Bayern Munich is imminent.

This summer, Liverpool is probably going to add a number of players. The Reds had a successful season, winning the Carabao Cup and challenging for the championship until the very end. However, they finished third in the Premier League, so they still need to make a few smart acquisitions to bolster their roster for the upcoming campaign.

Furthermore, Arne Slot, the new manager, will undoubtedly want to add one or two players to assist Liverpool get off to a strong start in 2024–2025. However, the team only has to make a few little adjustments to strengthen key areas and give players who are already in the starting lineup more competitiveness.

Richard Hughes, the new sporting director, might bring in some players who aren’t quite ready for the starting lineup but could challenge for a spot in a few years. Many of the major European clubs employ this strategy, and Liverpool did the same with Harvey Elliott, loaning him to Blackburn before bringing him into the starting lineup. Since then, Elliott has developed into one of Liverpool’s best players, but it doesn’t appear like that pattern will hold true for one of the continent’s most promising young players.

Assan Ouédraogo has been linked with a move to Liverpool early in the season. Currently at Schalke, the German midfielder has impressed in the Bundesliga 2, making 17 appearances and scoring three times. Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, he is obviously a talent for the future.

“Assan Ouédraogo – There have been reports about Liverpool being keen on Schalke youngster Assan Ouédraogo, and yes it’s true that Liverpool like him but it’s the same for Bayern Munich and AC Milan,” Fabrizio Romano said in October 2023. He was also interested in signing Ouédraogo, along with Milan and Bayern Munich.

However, it appears like Ouédraogo will not be joining Milan or Liverpool, as Romano is now speculating that Ouédraogo is close to joining Bayern. Romano claims that talks are at a “advanced” level and that Bayern may return the player to Schalke on loan for the upcoming Bundesliga 2 season.

In 2023–2024, Schalke placed tenth in the German second division. Ouédraogo, 18, would probably be able to grow and improve as a player with another season.

According to Liverpool.com, Ouédraogo is still only a youngster, thus it’s definitely the proper choice for him to stay in Germany as it will probably be the greatest for his player development. Furthermore, Liverpool would have probably sent him on loan to gather experience—exactly the same course of action that Bayern plans to take. It will be intriguing to watch his development throughout the ensuing years.