Liverpool will listen to offers for Jordon Ibe, Southampton & Watford interested

May 25, 2016
Jack Lusby

Winger Jordon Ibe could be among those to leave Liverpool this summer, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly willing to sell the 20-year-old.

Ibe found himself drop down the ranks in the second half of 2015/16, following a muted campaign struggling to fill the void left by Raheem Sterling.

With Sterling leaving in a £49 million move to Man City, Ibe was held up as the ideal replacement for his fellow youngster, supplying width, pace and power to the Liverpool attacking line.

But following a change in manager and a poor run of form, Ibe is believed to be on Klopp’s list of potential departures this summer.

According to the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe, Klopp is “prepared to listen to offers” for the 20-year-old, as he oversees a personnel overhaul in his first summer as Reds manager.

Both Southampton and Watford are said to be interested in signing Ibe, who would arguably benefit from a move away from Merseyside.

Ibe was first linked with a switch to Vicarage Road back in March, with reports suggesting the Hornets were exploring the possibility of a double swoop, including Joe Allen.

Watford have already signed Ibe’s former U21s team-mate Jerome Sinclair this summer, with the striker signing a four-year deal following the expiry of his Reds contract.

Ibe is one of those peripheral players who would find his first-team prospects limited next season, with Liverpool having failed to secure European football following an eighth-placed Premier League finish and defeat in May’s Europa League final.

This leaves Klopp with a big decision to make for a number of his fringe figures, with some fairly big-name departures likely, and some younger players poised to leave on loan.

Ideally, Ibe would be one of those to depart on a temporary deal, with his excellent solo goal away to West Bromwich Albion on the last day of the 2015/16 campaign providing a reminder of his potential.

A season away from Anfield could give Ibe the boost needed to revive his hopes under Klopp for the long term.

But if the German is looking to move in a different direction, a permanent switch could be for the best, allowing Ibe to continue his development without any unnecessary sojourns.