Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu in their Champions League defeat to his former club Feyenoord in Lisbon last Wednesday. Kokcu has become a key player in Benfica’s side, especially since Bruno Lage replaced Roger Schmidt, who reportedly did not have the best relationship with Kokcu, in the hot seat, starting the Turkish international in all of their league and European outings.
Born in the Netherlands, Kokcu broke through Feyenoord’s youth system and enjoyed two excellent seasons under current Liverpool boss Arne Slot in Rotterdam.After reaching the Conference League final in 2022, Slot would then name Kokcu club captain for the 2022-23 season, where Feyenoord went on to win the Eredivisie title, before the midfielder departed for the Portuguese capital.
Kokcu’s father has been very vocal in the media about the transfer rumours surrounding his son too, claiming that a move is possible.
Benfica paid in the region of €25m (£20.75m) to sign Kokcu from Feyenoord, and Halis believes the club will be holding out to make a tidy profit on the player.
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