According to reports in German publication SportBild, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in signing £16m-rated Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse.
What’s the word, then?
Well, both the Premier League rivals are looking to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new season, and SportBild claim the duo are lining up a move for Kruse following an impressive first campaign with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
The report says that 29-year-old has an €18m (approximately £16m) release clause and that he is expected to make the move to England in the coming weeks.
Kruse is currently on £42,000-a-week with the German side according to the Daily Star, and that is a figure that both the Blues and the Reds would easily be able to match or improve upon.
How did Kruse do last season?
The forward joined Werder Bremen last summer after just one season with Wolfsburg in which he scored nine goals in 43 appearances in all competitions.
However, the German attacker certainly enjoyed a more prolific campaign with his current team last time out and he ended the season having scored 15 goals – as well as providing a further seven assists – in just 23 Bundesliga outings.
Would he be a good signing for Chelsea and Liverpool?
As a back-up, he certainly would be.
Despite his prolific form for Werder Bremen and the fact that he has 14 German caps to his name, it is difficult to see the 29-year-old being a first-choice target for the Premier League holders or Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The Blues are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Alvaro Morata but the forward could stand more chance of making the breakthrough as a centre-forward at Anfield, where Roberto Firmino often played last term.
However, he would bring a goal threat from the substitutes’ bench and the fact that he could be available for just £16m may well appeal as transfer prices continue to go through the roof this summer.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, while Kruse would certainly be a good back-up striker/forward for both Premier League clubs, he shouldn’t be seen as anything more than that if he does join either Chelsea or Liverpool in a £16m deal this summer.
