Liverpool FC have identified Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner as a probable signing this summer and manager Jurgen Klopp is optimistic that the young Austrian can be a viable alternative to long-term Liverpool FC target Kai Havertz.
The Reds are increasingly skeptical about spending a lot of money in the upcoming transfer window due to the negative financial impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This was the reason behind Liverpool FC pulling out of a widely expected transfer deal for German striker Timo Werner who has instead agreed upon a move to Chelsea FC and will be signing his contract for them very shortly. The Reds management, as well as Klopp, felt it inadvisable to trigger the £54 million release clause of Werner.
Christoph Baumgartner made his Bundesliga debut in May 2019 and was soon promoted to a regular first-team player for the Die Kraichgaue after the departures of Nadiem Amiri and Kerem Demirbay last season. The player has also featured for the U-21 Austrian national team in six appearances so far.
After making debut for Hoffenheim, the player has appeared in 21 matches for the German side in this Bundesliga season, out of 14 have been starts. Despite playing a few midfield positions, the player has stated that he favours playing in the number 10 role. Baumgartner has scored six times this season while playing the German top-flight league and has impressed Hoffenheim fans with his impressive performances.
Baumgartner has been compared to German legend Michael Ballack due to his ability on the ball and his passing range. Moreover. recent comparisons have seen him go against one of the world’s hottest prospects in European football in Kai Havertz. Both the players play in the Bundesliga and have gone up against each other several times this season.
However, Baumgartner presents himself as a cost-effective alternative to Leverkusen’s Havertz, who will be available for a hefty price of £100 million when the transfer market reopens. The Reds are hopeful of signing the 20-year old as a wonderful addition to their midfield with current attacking midfielder Adam Lallana widely tipped to leave the Premier League side in the summer.
