Assan Ouédraogo – The Empire of The Kop

Liverpool could get ‘next Xabi Alonso’ with smart summer swoop for 6’3″ monster – report

Farrell Keeling — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:48:46 +0000

Liverpool are understood to be interested in a potential swoop for highly-rated Schalke youngster Assan Ouedraogo this summer.

It remains unclear what positions will be prioritised in the squad ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s planned departure at the end of the current campaign.

“Elite midfielders always want the ball and often drop deep to get it, and Ouedraogo is no different, which is why he has also drawn comparisons with former Liverpool and Real Madrid playmaker Xabi Alonso,” James Westwood wrote for GOAL.

“But the Schalke midfielder is more of a natural No.8 than a No.6, and he has the potential to be a difference-maker in games with his eye for goal and incisive passing range.”

Intriguingly, the Reds aren’t the only outfit in the Premier League to recognise the 17-year-old’s talents.

The reporter went on to add: “Schalke have Ouedraogo tied to a contract through to 2027, but they could have a real fight on their hands to keep hold of their prized asset beyond the summer.

“A move to the Premier League is likely to be a viable option for the teenage playmaker, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all reportedly eyeing a swoop for his services, while he’s also attracting interest from Bayern Munich.”

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What do the stats say about Ouedraogo?

The 6’3″ midfielder has spent much of the current campaign recovering from a serious ligament tear and hamstring injury.

That’s not to suggest progress hasn’t been made in 2023/24 regardless, with the Germany youth international reportedly looking ‘sharp’ following his return to the pitch.

Albeit whilst playing second-tier football, the teenager ranks remarkably well amongst his peers for progressive work with the ball and attacking threat (via FBref).

There’s still a great deal of work to be done on the training ground in sharpening this rough-cut gem. It seems, however, like it will be very much worth the effort for any side willing to put in the time.

Liverpool wanted Xabi Alonso this summer… perhaps they could get a slice of him in Ouedraogo?

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

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Rival bid submitted: Liverpool at risk of missing out on teenage talent with shades of Xabi Alonso

Liam Togher — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:35:17 +0000

Liverpool could be at risk of missing out on a teenage prodigy with whom they were linked during the autumn, with a bid having been submitted from elsewhere for the player.

German reporter Florian Plettenberg posted on X on Monday afternoon that Bayern Munich ‘have submitted an official offer’ for Assan Ouedraogo, the Schalke 04 midfielder in whom the Reds are believed to have taken an interest.

Excl. News #Ouedraogo: FC Bayern have submitted an official offer to the players camp!

Christoph Freund wants to secure the 17 y/o top talent from Schalke in summer!

Bayern offers a five-years-contract until 2029!

Price: Around €15m (release clause)

Bayern… pic.twitter.com/ejAQECCj54

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 8, 2024

The Bundesliga champions are thought to have offered a bid of €15m (£12.9m) encompassing a five-year deal for the 17-year-old, who the same journalist claimed in October had been monitored by the Merseysiders.

Ouedraogo has earned comparisons with a certain Xabi Alonso for his style of play, with the official Bundesliga website having noted how the teenage midfielder ‘likes to drop deep and build attacks from there’.

The youngster had forged his way into Schalke’s first team earlier this season, playing in each of their first 11 league matches before succumbing to a hamstring injury (Transfermarkt).

He even became the Gelsenkirchen club’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer when netting on his debut in their 5-3 defeat to Hamburg last August (bundesliga.com), and for Germany’s foremost club in Bayern to lodge a bid for him shows just how highly he’s rated in his homeland.

News of that offer might also prompt Liverpool into action if they’re still firmly interested in Ouedraogo, as otherwise the Anfield giants run the risk of losing out on him to the Bundesliga champions.

Then again, if they sign him and he doesn’t manage to become a regular at the Allianz Arena, he might duly replicate the move made by Ryan Gravenberch in swapping Bavaria for Merseyside.

For now, it’ll be interesting to see if Bayern’s bid sparks Jorg Schmadtke and co into action.

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Liverpool transfer target has cut-price release clause; January exit is very possible – report

Liam Togher — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 20:42:00 +0000

Liverpool could pick up one of their rumoured transfer targets for a cut-price figure in 2024, judging by reports which have emerged.

Sport.de claimed that Assan Ouedraogo, the 17-year-old Schalke 04 midfielder with whom the Reds have been linked, has a release clause of just €7m (£6.1m).

The report added that ‘a farewell in the winter is now coming to the fore’ and that the Gelsenkirchen club could duly ‘cash in’, even though the exit clauses don’t come into effect until next summer.

By today’s standards, a fee of just over £6m is very modest for a club like Liverpool, so they may be very tempted to try and pounce for Ouedraogo. The issue is, so might his plethora of other suitors.

The teenager only made his senior debut for Schalke in August but has quickly become a regular for them, featuring in all but one league game this season and starting seven, with one goal and one assist to his name from midfield (Transfermarkt).

If the Reds were to sign him next year, it’d be a big leap from the German second tier to the upper echelons of the Premier League, so he’d likely be dispatched on loan for a season or two to accrue further first-team experience.

However, in light of the reports from Germany, Liverpool may need to move quickly. Otherwise, another club could well swoop to snap up Ouedraogo in a flash.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

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‘Taking place soon…’ – Liverpool set to begin discussions with potential Xabi Alonso regen

Liam Togher — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:04:40 +0000

According to a leading German football journalist, Liverpool are set to commence talks ‘soon’ with a reported transfer target who’s earned comparisons to a former Anfield favourite.

Last month, Florian Plettenberg claimed that the Reds are ‘monitoring the development’ of Assan Ouedraogo, with those reports subsequently backed up by Fabrizio Romano.

However, the Schalke 04 midfielder is unsurprisingly attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere, and LFC could face some stern competition for the 17-year-old.

Writing for Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside regarding Liverpool’s links with the teenager, Christian Falk outlined: “Talks with the talented Assan Ouedraogo from Schalke are rumoured to be taking place soon. However, RB Leipzig currently appear to be ahead of Liverpool when it comes to the midfielder.”

Ouedraogo’s stock is rising rapidly in Germany, with the youngster already being likened to Xabi Alonso for his ability to drop deep and build attacks from midfield, while also boasting searing pace to break through defensive lines (bundesliga.com).

He only made his senior debut in Schalke’s first game of the season (also becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer that day) but he’s already become a regular at the Veltins Arena, grabbing an assist in their much-needed 3-2 win over Hannover 96 last weekend as they arrested a run of four straight defeats (Transfermarkt).

Even with strong competition for places at Liverpool, he could get ample opportunity impress if he were to end up at Anfield, where Jurgen Klopp hasn’t been slow to promote academy talents to the first team.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are the two standout examples, with Jarell Quansah and Ben Doak among those who’ve more recently forged their way into the senior setup.

Ouedraogo’s ongoing exposure to first-team football – even if it isn’t in Germany’s top tier – should stand to him if the Reds’ proposed talks with the youngster lead to something concrete.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

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‘Have inquired’: Sky Sports journo shares transfer development as Liverpool hold talks

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:42:33 +0000

Liverpool’s task may have become a little harder when it comes to the prospect of convincing Assan Ouedraogo to move to Merseyside in one of the coming transfer windows.

Florian Plettenberg reported on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Schalke youngster (17) has been the subject of an inquiry from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt amid talks with Jurgen Klopp’s club.

Eintracht Frankfurt has entered the race for Assan #Ouedraogo!

SGE bosses have inquired about the 17 y/o and are aware of all the financial details. Boss Krösche with a very high opinion about the player.

#SGE believes he's capable of earning a significant spot in the… pic.twitter.com/UXuoKVgqFE

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 25, 2023

The interest from German outfits hardly stops there, and one might imagine that the Reds’ hierarchy’s eyes will be lingering on Bayern Munich in particular.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t throw our hat into the ring and sing the praises of our project loud and proud.

Liverpool may be vying for success in Europe’s second-tier competition, but Klopp’s rebooted project at Anfield is very much genuine following a major midfield overhaul.

Whilst competition for places is already fierce at L4, Ouedraogo’s ability to play in the middle of the park and on the left of a front-three would surely allow him ample opportunity to assert himself at Liverpool if given the opportunity.

We’re not out of this race yet, though it certainly wouldn’t hurt to get our elbows out early to ensure we don’t fall behind prominent German clubs before the window opens.

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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‘It’s true…’ – Romano says Liverpool ‘like’ Xabi Alonso-esque prodigy who holds 2 club records

Liam Togher — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:49:21 +0000

Fabrizio Romano has lent his weight to reports linking Liverpool with a potential move for a rising star whose playing style has been compared to a one-time Anfield great.

Last week, Florian Plettenberg claimed that the Reds and ‘especially Jürgen Klopp’ are ‘monitoring the development’ of Assan Ouedraogo, although the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan are also interested in the Schalke 04 midfielder (Sky Germany).

In Tuesday’s Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the Italian transfer reporter backed the links between LFC and the 17-year-old.

Romano wrote: “There have been reports about Liverpool being keen on Schalke youngster Assan Ouedraogo, and yes it’s true that Liverpool like him 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.

“For sure he’s a top talent and that’s why those three clubs are interested. I think he has great potential, he’ll need some time to develop but he looks a very good player.”

Ouedraogo made history on the double for Schalke in their first game of this season, becoming their youngest-ever player and goalscorer when he netted on his debut as they lost 5-3 to Hamburg (bundesliga.com).

As per the official Bundesliga website, he ‘plays a bit like’ former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso in how he ‘likes to drop deep and build attacks from there’, while he’s also blessed with ‘explosive pace and power to break the lines’.

He’s featured in all 10 of his side’s league games so far this season, starting seven (Transfermarkt), which shows that he’s already become a mainstay at the Veltins Arena despite only breaking into the first team in August.

For a 17-year-old to be entrusted with regular starts for a Schalke side struggling near the bottom of the German second tier, with the club at their lowest ebb since multiple relegations in the 1980s, suggests that he can handle playing in a pressurised environment where fans’ patience has worn extremely thin.

Going from near the bottom of 2.Bundesliga to the upper end of the Premier League table would be quite a leap for Ouedraogo, but he certainly appears to be showing many of the qualities which’d catch the eye were he to join Liverpool.

Considering the illustrious list of clubs being linked with him, he clearly has something special about him, and his name is bound to crop up regularly in transfer discourse between now and when the window reopens in January.

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Liverpool dealt potential transfer blow as Reds-linked teenage target outlines ‘his big goal’

Liam Togher — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:51:33 +0000

Liverpool could find it difficult to land one reported transfer target, according to a claim from a reliable European journalist.

On Monday, Florian Plettenberg claimed that the Reds are ‘monitoring the development’ of Assan Ouedraogo, with Jurgen Klopp particularly keen on the Schalke 04 midfielder.

However, the 17-year-old has a number of illustrious suitors from across Europe (including Bayern Munich and AC Milan) and, according to the journalist, all of them could be turned down by the teenager.

Plettenberg told Sky Germany: “Ouedraogo identifies with Schalke but he also knows about his potential and wants to take the next step. His big goal is to play in the Bundesliga with Schalke, but that will be difficult.”

It appears that Ouedraogo’s priority for now is to help his current club get back into the Bundesliga, from which they were relegated last season.

The teenager has been a rare positive in a dismal campaign so far for Karel Geraerts’ side, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer in their 5-3 defeat to Hamburg in August (bundesliga.com) and managing to retain his place in the starting line-up for the most part ever since (Transfermarkt).

The Germany under-17 international is still only finding his feet at senior level, but having already earned stylistic comparisons to the likes of Xabi Alonso and Michael Essien (bundesliga.com) and attracted interest from several big-name clubs, he clearly seems to have an enormously high ceiling.

The one hope for Liverpool – and other prospective suitors – is that Schalke don’t look like granting Ouedraogo his wish of playing in the Bundesliga any time soon, with the Gelsenkirchen outfit languishing in the relegation play-off berth in the German second tier.

With a few more months at first-team level, the teenager might outgrow his current club if they fail to improve on their current predicament. Maybe then the Reds might have a stronger chance of persuading him over a move to Anfield.

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Klopp very keen: Liverpool among suitors for £17.3m prodigy who set 2 club records on one day

Liam Togher — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:15:37 +0000

Liverpool are reportedly among several English clubs keeping an eye on a teenage prospect who set two club records in one game in August.

On Monday evening, Florian Plettenberg took to social media to report of the Reds’ interest in Schalke 04 starlet Assan Ouédraogo, with Jurgen Klopp especially keen on the 17-year-old, who’s valued at €20m (£17.3m) by his current club.

The journalist posted on X: “Liverpool and especially Jürgen Klopp is monitoring the development of Assan Ouedraogo! The 17 y/o versatile midfielder from @s04 has a release clause in 2024. Clubs from abroad have to pay around €20m.”

He added that Everton and Brighton are also interested in the Germany under-17 international, who became a European champion with his country at that age grade earlier this year.

Liverpool and especially Jürgen #Klopp is monitoring the development of Assan #Ouedraogo!

The 17 y/o versatile midfielder from @s04 has a release clause in 2024. Clubs from abroad have to pay around €20m.

Next to #LFC more clubs from are interested: Everton &… pic.twitter.com/wYOFK7QI30

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 16, 2023

Ouédraogo has been a rare chink of light amid a dismal start to the season for Schalke, who find themselves on the cusp of the 2.Bundesliga relegation zone having only dropped down from the top tier in May.

In their 5-3 defeat to Hamburg at the outset of the campaign, the 17-year-old became the youngest-ever player to feature for the Gelsenkirchen club, and he needed just 22 minutes to make further history as their youngest-ever goalscorer that day (bundesliga.com).

The teenager has evoked comparisons with a certain Xabi Alonso due to his playing style, given his penchant for building attacks from deep.

He’s also earned glowing praise from Schalke legend and World Cup winner Olaf Thon, who gushed: “He has everything, game intelligence, speed, teamwork, goal threat and he can play the final pass.” (bundesliga.com)

Ouédraogo certainly appears to be a highly prodigious young talent who, not unlike Ben Doak, has made a massive impact in his first few senior appearances. It’ll be interesting to see if Liverpool take their reported interest much further in the weeks and months ahead.

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