Liverpool target doubles down on €100m transfer stance

Milan Keskin

• 15 Dec 2023 16:54 GMT
• 3 min read

Johan Bakayoko has told Liverpool, Dortmund and PSG that they will do well to prise him away from PSV during the January transfer window.

The right winger was a coveted player last summer and would appear to have his choice of clubs again as the midseason transfer period looms.

The attacker has played a major role in PSV's success this season and does not seem to be planning to leave early, as Bakayoko explained in an extensive interview with Eindhovens Dagblad .

“I want to become champion with PSV,” Bakayoko stated.

The attacker rejected a move to Burnley last summer to compete for the Eredivisie title this season and does not seem to want to change course away from his big goal.

“That is my dream and what I want to work towards in my plans. I will not deviate from that. Not a millimetre,” he said.

Bakayoko recently appeared on the radar of Borussia Dortmund, who are already preparing for the departure of Donyell Malen. If the ex-PSV player leaves, Bakayoko is one of the candidates to fill his void at the Signal Iduna Stadium.

However, it will be difficult for BVB to pry Bakayoko from Eindhoven, as the 20-year-old attacker clearly feels comfortable where he is.

“This is my dream club, where I play now. PSV has always seen it in me, that was my feeling from the first contacts with the club,” he said.

Bakayoko, who is still under contract in Eindhoven until mid-2026, certainly does not rule out a longer stay: “Why couldn't I play here longer? Maybe the club would have already wanted to sell me, but I'm doing very well here. Here and also with coach Peter Bosz. I am becoming a better football player. He stimulates us by always finding something that can be improved.”

Bakayoko snubbed summer interest

Bakayoko has been consistent in his message.

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, when Liverpool and PSG were circling, he said he would turn down a €100 million move to the Premier League.

Speaking of Brentford’s interest at the time, he said: “Even if Brentford offer €100m… I want to stay with PSV.

“We want to become champions of the Netherlands again and then go as far as possible in the UCL... that was always my focus.”

PSV have been in remarkable form domestically, winning all 15 fixtures in the Eredivisie to put the title within their grasp, while they also made it to the last 16 of the Champions League as runners up behind Arsenal in a competitive Group B that also included Lens and Sevilla.