Just who is the transfer subplot to Liverpool v Dortmund MII?

Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund’s Euro collision hasn’t been short of storylines, but now there is a further thread to sew into the rich tapestry of subplots; they are both chasing the same player.

During the build up to their Europa League quarter-final second leg at Anfield, it’s emerged that the Reds and the team standing in the way of the last four, covet burgeoning Bundesliga talent Mahmoud Dahoud.

The 20-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is well known to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who looks to plot the downfall of his former employers, though fans of the Merseyside outfit will be less acquainted with Dahoud’s talents.

Dahoud’s many talents

To those in the dark, the Syrian-born Germany U21 star is fast becoming hot property in his adopted country.

In the modern era of distinctive central midfield roles, Dahoud is most accurately described as a box-to-box operator.

Playing in tandem with the more defensively-minded Granit Xhaxa – a much-sought after Premier League transfer target in his own right – Dahoud does far more creative work than his Swiss counterpart.

The former Fortuna Dusseldorf youth player has racked up seven Bundesliga assists and four goals to help Gladbach feature prominently in the hunt for further Champions League football next season.

Why Klopp is so enamoured

But perhaps even more impressively, this ambition to make telling contributions in the final third doesn’t come at the detriment of his defensive diligence.

Part of the reason Dahoud’s breakthrough campaign has been so eye catching is that he also applies himself extremely efficiently when it comes to the nitty gritty – as Manchester City fans may remember from a Champions League clash back in September.

The two-capped U21 international is one of Gladbach’s top tacklers and interceptors, and these traits are bound to have Klopp salivating over the prospect of signing him.

Tough ask to get Dahoud to Anfield

Obtaining Dahoud’s services will still be a particularly tricky task for the gegenpress advocate however, with Dortmund and others in Germany, plus a variety of top English clubs, supposedly keen.

Then there is Gladbach’s official ‘not-for-sale’ stance, meaning the numbers required may be astronomic.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.