Transfer Centre

Benfica to beat Liverpool, Manchester United to Orkun Kokcu?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 June 2023

Benfica to beat Liverpool, Man United to Orkun Kokcu?

Benfica are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who was also on the radar of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly set to concede defeat in the race to sign Feyenoord's Orkun Kokcu, who is instead closing in on a move to Benfica.

The 22-year-old captained Arne Slot's side to the Eredivisie title with eight goals and three assists from 32 top-flight games in the 2022-23 season, as well as chalking up three goals and two assists in 10 Europa League outings.

Kokcu has remained loyal to Feyenoord over the past few years despite previous links with Arsenal, but the Dutch champions are fighting a losing battle to keep hold of him this summer.

Manchester United apparently sent scouts to keep an eye on the Turkey international earlier this year, while Liverpool were also credited with an interest in his services.

Both Premier League powerhouses are in the market for engine room additions this summer, and with Kokcu's deal at Feyenoord expiring in 2025, the 22-year-old emerged as an attractive option.

Feyenoord's Orkun Kokcu with teammates look dejected after the match SK Sturm Graz's Otar Kiteishvili scored their first goal on October 27, 2022 © Reuters

However, journalist Fabrizio Romano now reports that Kokcu is on the verge of joining Benfica, who have agreed a €30m (£25.7m) deal with Feyenoord.

The Turkish midfielder has apparently given the green light to a five-year contract at the Estadio da Luz, and Feyenoord will pocket 25% of any future sale.

Kokcu is expected to undergo his medical in Portugal over the next few days, and Benfica have also inserted a €120m (£102.7m) release clause into his deal, the same fee that Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez in January.

Kokcu's move to Benfica will bring an end to a successful nine-year spell at Feyenoord, who prised him away from Groningen Youth in the summer of 2014.

Since bursting onto the scene with the Rotterdam giants, Kokcu has registered 32 goals and 27 assists in 175 matches for Feyenoord, while he was also named the Eredivisie Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.

Orkun Kökçü arrives in Lisbon in order to be unveiled as new Benfica player 🔴🦅

€30m deal will be signed in the next few hours. pic.twitter.com/hG23VgkVo2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2023

While news of Kokcu's imminent switch to Benfica will come as a blow to Premier League teams, Liverpool have already reinforced their midfield ranks with the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Argentina World Cup winner - who will inherit the number 10 shirt at Anfield - supposedly cost the Reds just £35m, and he has signed a five-year deal with Jurgen Klopp's team.

Liverpool are also said to have agreed personal terms with Nice starlet Khephren Thuram, while talks are ongoing with the entourage of Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone.

Meanwhile, Man United will focus their efforts on signing a big-name striker first and foremost, but remaining funds could be used to try to beef up Erik ten Hag's midfield.

Fred and Scott McTominay are both being linked with exits, while Marcel Sabitzer's loan deal from Bayern Munich is not expected to be converted into a permanent move.