Manu Kone was a transfer target for Liverpool last summer. (Image: Getty)
An ex-Liverpool transfer target has been handed a £15million price tag just one year after the Reds were quoted upwards of £30million.
Manu Kone emerged as a potential Liverpool signing last summer when the Merseyside outfit were undergoing a midfield rebuild.
Then 22 years old, Kone had enjoyed a stellar season for Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach and was being tracked by top clubs across the continent.
However, a move didn’t materialise, with Liverpool instead welcoming Alexis Mac Allister (£35million), Dominik Szoboszlai (£60million) and Wataru Endo (£16million).
Fast forward 12 months and Kone’s asking price has plummeted, with reports from Germany revealing he’ll be available this summer for £15million.
It comes after a dismal season for Kone’s Monchengladbach, who finished one point ahead of the relegation play-off.
As a result, the side from North Rhine-Westphalia are undergoing a summer rebuild, meaning funds need to be raised.
Kone struggled at times last season, with the midfielder only managing 25 appearances across all competitions.
Manu Kone endured a season to forget for Borussia Monchengladbach. (Image: Getty)
A mixture of injuries and suspensions marred a forgettable campaign for the 23-year-old, whose stock has taken a bashing.
Given their heavy outlay on midfielders last year, it’s unlikely Liverpool will come knocking for Kone again this summer, even though the Frenchman is available at a reduced price.
What’s more, interest in Kone was said to have been driven by ex-sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, who specialised in identifying talent from the Bundesliga.
Schmadtke has since departed, with Richard Hughes taking over in his place and a change of direction is expected to follow.
One area of the pitch Liverpool could look to improve this summer is defence, with starlet Leny Yoro having emerged as a possible target.
Liverpool are one of several interested parties, with the six-time European champions willing to offer Yoro a bumper £125,000-per-week contract, according to reports.
If that’s the case, it would likely raise eyebrows in the Liverpool dressing room, given Yoro would be earning more than five established first-team squad members.
According to Capology, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson are all rumoured to be earning £100,000 and £120,000.
Defender Joe Gomez is said to be pocketing around £80,000, while attacker Luis Diaz’s contract estimation comes in at around £ 55,000 per week.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1912551/Liverpool-transfer-target-Manu-Kone-quoted-double