Who is Merlin Rohl? Liverpool tipped to make transfer move for German youngster
Liverpool is reportedly interested in signing promising midfielder Merlin Rohl from Bundesliga side Freiburg.
Rohl, who is listed at 6ft 3in, is an athletic midfielder who has operated as an attacking midfielder during his three appearances for Freiburg so far this season. However, the German Under-21 international also featured in a number of different positions last term too, featuring as a central midfielder, as well as on both wings on occasion.
Sport Bild reports Rohl is a player the Reds are tracking, which played a part in Freiburg offering the midfielder a new deal.
Earlier this month, Rohl inked a new deal with Freiburg to ward off interest in the short-term from sides like Liverpool. The length of Rohl's new deal is publicly unknown, with Freiburg announcing its length would remain undisclosed.
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"I trust in the environment here in Freiburg and am extremely grateful for everyone that I work with on a daily basis here — they have played a large part in my development over the last two years," Rohl told Freiburg's club website after his new deal had been confirmed. "My goal is to reach my full potential. The surroundings at SC are therefore ideal."
However, in the short-term Rohl will be spending his time sidelined after he suffered a syndesmosis tear in his ankle a fortnight ago during Freiburg's 2-1 win over Bochum, which will see him ruled out for a number of months.
Following the European Championships this summer, it was also reported by Sky Sports Germany the Freiburg star was on the verge of an international call-up by Julian Naglesmann, who had been impressed by Rohl's during the 2023/24 season.
Liverpool.com says: Good midfielders these days will cost any elite team a fortune, so finding a gem who can develop into a superstar might be something Liverpool look to do with Rohl. We know the Reds desperately wanted to sign a midfielder this summer when they spend weeks chasing after Martin Zubimendi, only for him to stay with Real Sociedad.
While Rohl is not the same profile of player to Zubimendi, he is athletic and young enough to shape into a different position should Liverpool see his future further back than attacking midfield. That said, in Arne Slot's new system, the Reds have operated with a more advanced midfielder ahead of a double pivot, so there's every chance they may view Rohl as competition for Dominik Szoboszlai if they do retain an interest in him.