Liverpool-target Bakayoko can rival Doku as Premier League's best winger

Sam McGuire

• 5 Dec 2023 10:00 GMT
• 4 min read

Johan Bakayoko made the brave decision to reject a move to the Premier League during the summer transfer window. The PSV forward was wanted by Brentford and the Bees, after haggling with the Dutch giants, finally had a €37 million bid accepted for the 20-year-old.

The transfer appeared to be a formality before Bakayoko decided to stay with the Eredivisie club. Few players turn down the riches of a Premier League club but it gave insight into what sort of player the former Anderlecht youngster is.

He reportedly wanted to stay with PSV to play in the Champions League and battle it out for the title. He opted for experience over money.

Bakayoko knew that, if he kept performing, another chance to move to England would materialise. He also knew that opportunities in the Champions League, which he would get with PSV, would no doubt aid in his development.

Fast forward a few months and his decision appears to have paid off. The Bees are still interested in the in-form youngster but they are now joined in the race to sign him by Spurs and Liverpool.

Tottenham are wanting to bolster their ranks following the summer sale of Harry Kane while the Reds are seemingly looking to plan for life after Mohamed Salah.

Given his form so far this season, PSV are well within their right to want closer to €45m for the young forward. He has three goals and eight assists in just 997 Eredivisie minutes this season.

Under new manager Peter Bosz, PSV have started the season in ridiculous form, winning their opening 14 matches and opening up a 10 point gap at the top of the table. Bakayoko also has a goal and an assist in the Champions League.

The eight-cap Belgium international looks to be the real deal and has built on his impressive 2022/23 campaign. The left-footed winger, who moved to the Netherlands in 2019, appeared in just 1,468 minutes for Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s side last season but, despite the limited playing time, he did make quite the impression.

Bakayoko finished the season with five goals and five assists and his form even earned him a call-up to the Belgium national side. He’s now a part of the senior squad on a regular basis.

He’s creative, direct and he can use his weaker foot which opens up different angles and many possibilities from wider areas. He shares similarities with compatriot Jeremy Doku and he’s had quite the impact in the Premier League following his switch to Manchester City. For a little more context, Bakayoko is averaging over seven dribbles per 90 and has a success rate of 60%. If he was able to replicate those numbers in England, he would rival Doku for the crown of the best winger in the English top-flight.

The 5ft10 winger isn’t the finished product just yet and needs work if he is to become a reliable goal threat from wide areas, but that is to be expected given his age. His finishing is good enough though and he would be able to contribute in the right team.

Right now, he’s a creative outlet who would have a lot of joy against a number of Premier League full-backs. If he develops a ruthless streak, he could be one of the most complete wide forward in Europe. The potential is scary and it is little wonder so many clubs are keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old.

He looks readymade for a move to England.