Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth and Ipswich battling for Liverpool attacking midfielder

Pompey are interested in Liverpool attacking midfielder Ben Woodburn, reports suggest.
By Will Rooney
Published 18th Aug 2020, 11:59 BST
Ben Woodburn of Liverpool dribbles during the first half against Ever Banega #10 of Sevilla during a pre-season friendly at Fenway Park on July 21, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. Picture: Tim Bradbury/Getty ImagesBen Woodburn of Liverpool dribbles during the first half against Ever Banega #10 of Sevilla during a pre-season friendly at Fenway Park on July 21, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. Picture: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images
Ben Woodburn of Liverpool dribbles during the first half against Ever Banega #10 of Sevilla during a pre-season friendly at Fenway Park on July 21, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. Picture: Tim Bradbury/Getty Images

According to Goal.com, the Blues are battling League One rivals Ipswich for the 20-year-old's signature on loan.

Woodburn spent last season on loan at Oxford United, although he missed a large portion of the season after suffering a broken foot.

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He did return to fitness for Karl Robinson's play-off campaign after the season was curtailed amid the Covid-19 outbreak, however.

Woodburn featured in both legs of Oxford's semi-final penalty shootout win over Pompey, as well as coming off the bench in their defeat to Wycombe in the Wembley final.

In total, he registered one goal and five assists in 16 appearances at the Kassam Stadium.

The Wales international is well down the forward pecking order at the Premier League champions, though, and is reportedly set for another loan move.

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Woodburn, who is the youngster goalscorer in Anfield history, is supposedly wanted by Pompey, Ipswich and clubs in the Dutch top flight.

The report says: ‘Liverpool will also look to loan Ben Woodburn, with Ipswich and Portsmouth interested in signing the Wales international, who saw a promising spell at Oxford ruined by a broken foot last season.

‘Goal understands Woodburn, 20, also has admirers in the Eredivisie.’

Being only 20 means the Woodburn would be exempt from salary cap restrictions.

Related topics:IpswichPompeyPortsmouthLiverpoolLeague OneBlues

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