KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool has been regularly linked to transfer move for a host of strikers this season
  • The Reds have joined AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt in tracking Randal Kolo Muani
  • Kolo Muani is still under contract with FC Nantes

A versatile striker could find himself making the switch to the English Premier League.

Despite being still under contract until the end of the next season, FC Nantes striker Randal Kolo Muani has already got a number of big-name clubs eyeing for his signature this transfer window.

Among the clubs being mentioned is Liverpool, German outlet Bild reported.

The Reds have joined the race to land Kolo Muani this transfer window with a plan to sign him via free transfer, the report said.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are all set to depart Anfield to play their respective countries possibly from January 9 to February 6 in the Africa Cup of Nations.

This could be the reason behind Liverpool’s recent link-up with Kolo Muani, and earlier with FC Dallas forward Ricardo Pepi and West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen.

Problems for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who checks his watch in the defeat against Fulham
Problems for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who checks his watch in the defeat against Fulham POOL / Clive Brunskill

However, Liverpool would need to come up with a smart plan as AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt are also keeping tabs on Kolo Muani, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.

FC Nantes has yet to address the matter, but based on the comments of club manager Antoine Kombouaré on Kolo Muani, it appears that his recommendation will be to keep the all-around striker in his squad.

“I especially prefer it when [Kolo Muani] scores goals and makes our team win,” Kombouaré admitted in October. “Regardless of the position. I prefer him on the pitch, that's all. He is a very strong player, who plays in the center because for me he is an attacker. He is able to play on the right, even on the left too. It all depends on the matches, on the opponents, on its current form.”

“Many players are not always up and running every weekend but the most important thing is that he enjoys the field, no matter what his position,” he added. “He is a happy player, who likes confrontations and adversity. He is very playful. Today he is efficient and when he is not scoring he can get others to score. He is an important player for us.”

Kolo Muani burst onto the scene primarily as a winger but has recently been highly efficient as a center-forward for FC Nantes.

He is described by the French top flight as an attacker who is “capable of terrorizing defenders with his pace” and a player who “idolized Luis Suarez growing up.”

This season, the 22-year-old has already bagged a total of seven goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches.