Galatasaray head coach Jan Olde Riekerink has confirmed that the Turkish club are looking seriously at signing Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva before the end of the transfer window.
The Dutch manager who is taking on his first high profile managerial role after previously being head of youth development for both China and Ajax, said that the Brazilian was being targeted for a central midfield role. He was quoted by Tribal Football as saying :
“Lucas is one of the players we are targeting. We have been in discussions and it is true we want an experienced midfielder.”
The 29 year old is Liverpool’s longest serving after joining from Brazilian side Gremio in 2007. Originally bought as an attacking midfielder, he was employed in an holding midfield role by manager Rafa Benitez.
As he took time to adapt to the role he was criticised by many Liverpool fans before turning opinion around in his latter years at the club, becoming a reliable midfield player and even a centre back under Jurgen Klopp last season. With the Reds boss now establishing his own squad of players, it looks like Lucas is surplus to requirements.
