Feyenoord set for Slot windfall with Liverpool move for 'favourite player'

Willem Leijgraf

Updated: 20 May 2024 17:02 BST
3 min read

Orkun Kökçü is at the top of Arne Slot's wish list at Liverpool, Turkish media report.

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The departing Feyenoord coach is reportedly still very fond of his former pupil, who has been under contract at Benfica since last summer. If the Portuguese top club sell Kokcu again after a season, Feyenoord will receive 25 per cent of the transfer fee.

Slot seems to have set his sights on a reunion with the Turkey international. The pair previously worked together for two seasons at Feyenoord and the 45-year-old coach wants to revive this collaboration at Liverpool, it is claimed. Under Slot, Kokcu made a total of 96 appearances for Feyenoord, scoring no fewer than 21 goals and providing 14 assists.

After winning the Eredivisie last term, Kokcu was sold by Feyenoord to Benfica for at least €25 million. This figure can increase to €30m through bonuses. Kokcu signed a contract until 2028 in Lisbon and the contract includes a release clause of no less than €120 million.

STATS

Orkun Kökçü

DM (RL), M (C)

Benfica

Orkun Kökçü

DM (RL), M (C)

Benfica

49

Games
12

Goals
7

Assists

Orkun Kokcu's statistics for 2022/23 season at Feyenoord

Feyenoord eye windfall

In addition to a bonus scheme and the sky-high transfer fee, Feyenoord also negotiated a resale percentage, which according to Fabrizio Romano stands at 25 per cent. Liverpool's alleged interest could therefore ensure that Feyenoord can once again collect several millions from a transfer of Kokcu.

The midfielder currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €28m. It is not known what asking price Benfica would charge, but if he is sold for his market value, Feyenoord would receive €7m.

If the Portuguese giants hold out for his buyout clause of €120m, the Rotterdam club could get as much as €30m, but this is unlikely to materialise.

Kokcu's first season at Benfica was eventful. The Turkish international was not without controversy under coach Roger Schmidt, but still played 2716 minutes, spread over 43 games. He was trusted in the starting line-up 33 times and notched seven goals and 11 assists.

Earlier this year, Kokcu seemed to have prematurely ended his time at Benfica with an explosive interview with De Telegraaf in which he criticised Schmidt. The midfielder was subsequently removed from the first team and there was also talk of a fine of two weeks' wages. However, he was eventually brought back into the fold.