Liverpool’s eight midfield transfer targets as influential stars Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both close in on moves to Saudi Arabia
- Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are set to go away Liverpool for Saudi Arabia
- Their exits go away Liverpool needing a brand new defensive midfielder this summer season
- Mail Sport takes a have a look at eight gamers who’ve been on their wishlist
Liverpool went into the summer season understanding they’d lose three midfielders, however little did they know they could have to substitute arguably their two most essential gamers in the center of the park over latest years.
Jurgen Klopp’s facet let James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all go away on the finish of their contracts – conscious {that a} rebuild was wanted following a disappointing marketing campaign.
Liverpool have boosted their squad with two younger inventive midfielders in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, costing the Reds a complete of £95m.
The Reds had been already contemplating moves for a 3rd midfielder, however one other signing seems to be an crucial now with both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho wanting to take their skills to Saudi Arabia at Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively.
Mail Sport takes a have a look at eight gamers on Liverpool’s midfield shortlist, who Jurgen Klopp may look to signal to assist fill the anticipated void left by Henderson and Fabinho.
Romeo Lavia
The £50m rated Southampton midfielder has been linked with Liverpool all through the summer season, although there are issues amongst Reds followers whether or not the signing of the 19-year-old can be sufficient if both Henderson and Fabinho go away.
At 19-years-old, the Belgian worldwide is the youngest participant on this checklist and lacks the appreciable expertise that Henderson and Fabinho both introduced to the fold.
However, there’s a purpose why Lavia has been the topic of curiosity from not solely Liverpool, but additionally the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United.
The Reds have been monitoring Lavia thanks to his eye-catching kind, in opposition to the backdrop of a difficult season for the relegated Saints.
Lavia made 34 appearances throughout all competitions for Southampton final season, scoring his solely aim in the 2-1 win over Chelsea – turning into the primary participant born in 2004 to rating in the Premier League.
Liverpool really feel the £50m price ticket is just too excessive for Lavia, however he’s a less expensive choice than among the different midfielders who’re on their shortlist.
Cheick Doucoure
The most up-to-date participant to be linked with a transfer to Anfield is Crystal Palace star Doucoure.
As reported by Mail Sport, the Reds have begun work on calculating the price of signing the Mali worldwide.
Liverpool are but to make an strategy to Palace, however the south London membership are bracing themselves for an enquiry.
Palace, who signed Doucoure for £18m from Lens final summer season, are very eager to hold the 24-year-old.
However, Mail Sport understands that Palace officers are doubtless to discover it tough to refuse a £70m supply ought to the Reds make one.
Their price ticket of Doucoure is a transparent signal that Arsenal’s £105m transfer for Declan Rice, and Moises Caicedo a £100m goal for Chelsea, may make it an costly process to signal a prime defensive midfielder this summer season.
Sofyan Amrabat
One of the stars of the Qatar World Cup, enjoying an important function in serving to Morocco attain the semi-finals – the furthest an African crew has reached.
Even in their semi-final loss to France, Amrabat summed up the Moroccan spirit as he chased down Kylian Mbappe and put an important problem in on the Paris Saint-Germain celebrity.
Since then he has been linked with a lot of prime European sides together with Manchester United.
Given his contract at present facet Fiorentina expires subsequent summer season, he may show to be the most cost effective choice on this checklist.
Reports have advised that the 26-year-old could possibly be obtainable for as little as £30m.
Amrabat performed 49 video games for Fiorentina in all competitions final season, and ought to the Reds make a transfer, they’ll hope that he would not go down as a type of World Cup wonders who fail to make the grade after an enormous transfer.
Ryan Gravenberch
The Dutch midfielder left his boyhood membership Ajax to be a part of Bayern Munich final summer season, however was restricted to simply three Bundesliga begins in his first season on the membership after falling out of favour underneath Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
Despite this, Gravenberch has been tipped as among the finest younger midfielders in European soccer and Liverpool have been linked with a transfer for him all through the summer season.
He can be one of many least expensive choices on Klopp’s shortlist after becoming a member of Bayern Munich for £21m final summer season.
Reports again in April claimed that the Reds had been in talks with the 21-year-old’s father over a £25m transfer to Anfield.
The Reds although did endure a blow final month, as Gravenberch admitted that whereas he anticipated to play extra final season, he ‘assumes’ he’ll nonetheless be at Bayern subsequent season.
However, the truth that Bayern did not select to begin him final season, does increase the query of whether or not he would have an instantaneous impression at Liverpool – one thing Klopp arguably wants given they’re shedding two common members of their beginning XI.
Aurelien Tchouameni
The Reds missed out on Tchouameni in the summer season of 2022 as the Frenchman determined to be a part of Real Madrid in an £85m deal.
However, with Madrid’s latest £113m acquisition of Jude Bellingham, along with issues over his recreation time on the Santiago Bernabeu, has once more raised questions over his future.
The 23-year-old did make 50 appearances final season, nevertheless he made simply 24 begins in LaLiga as the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga had been usually picked forward.
Bayern Munich have additionally reportedly joined the race for the midfielder, who could possibly be obtainable for £70m.
Even if Tchouameni is on Klopp’s shortlist nevertheless, it seems prefer it could possibly be an unattainable transfer to full.
He selected Madrid over Liverpool final yr, and simply final week he favored a tweet which learn: ‘Tchouameni is NOT FOR SALE. You perceive? @Liverpool.’
Kalvin Phillips
Perhaps the shock identify on the checklist given Manchester City’s rivalry with Liverpool over latest seasons.
Despite beginning solely 4 video games in all competitions since his £45m transfer from Leeds, it may take a little bit of persuading from Liverpool to persuade Man City to strengthen one in all their rivals.
Phillips struggled to get a lot of an opportunity final season due to accidents and the competitors in a stacked Man City facet who received the Treble.
Liverpool although, ought to they lose Henderson and Fabinho, would have the room in their crew to give Phillips a chance in their beginning XI.
Reports in April advised Liverpool would look to signal Phillips for a cut-price £35m deal this summer season.
Phillips has very important expertise in a extremely energetic crew when he was a key cog at Leeds – enjoying as their deepest midfielder usually setting the tempo. That would be the participant Klopp remembers ought to Liverpool make an strategy.
Joao Palhinha
The Fulham star has been linked with an enormous cash transfer after serving to the Cottagers safe a top-half end final season.
He has been most strongly linked with West Ham, with Mail Sport reporting that Fulham need round £60m for the participant.
They are significantly eager given the departure of captain Rice to Arsenal.
The Portuguese worldwide although can be on Liverpool’s shortlist and would naturally fill the defensive midfield function left by Fabinho.
However along with his price ticket and due to the truth that he’s 28-years-old – the eldest participant on this checklist – it would not be a shock if Klopp seems to go elsewhere.
Khephren Thuram
The strongest linked participant on this checklist is Nice midfielder Thuram.
It seemed as although the Reds ended their curiosity in the son of France legend Lilian following the signings of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
The image has modified although with Henderson and Fabinho’s imminent departures from Anfield.
A payment of round £52m has beforehand been touted for the 22-year-old defensive midfielder, who made 48 appearances throughout all competitions final season.
Bayern Munich have additionally been linked with a transfer for Thuram, offering some potential stiff competitors to land his companies.
Liverpool followers floated the outrageous idea that both Thuram and Lavia had been set to signal for the membership after monitoring a globe-trotting personal jet heading to their coaching base in Stuttgart
The aircraft took off from Nice Airport in the south of France – the town the place Thuram plies his commerce – at 8.45am on Monday morning, and later landed in Blackpool, the place the unique poster of the idea believes the flight was redirected, from Liverpool.
From there, the jet took off at 12pm to land 48 minutes later in Southampton, the place Lavia has featured since July 2022 – earlier than heading to Stuttgart.
