Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Jurgen Klopp has missed a trick by not signing Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer.
Liverpool are on the verge of completing a season-long loan deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo. The Brazil international has 22 senior caps and has previously represented Gremio and Barcelona, winning 10 trophies for club and country.
Arthur, 26, is viewed as the answer to Liverpool's midfield injury crisis as they are not obliged to make his loan deal permanent next summer. It's believed the Reds do not want to make another permanent signing this summer and ruin their future transfer plans.
Although the Arthur deal seems sensible, Hamann thinks Liverpool should've submitted a bid for Tielemans. The Belgium international, 25, is considered one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League not playing for a so-called 'Big Six' club.
Tielemans has just one year left on his Leicester deal and few would be surprised to see him leave the King Power Stadium on deadline day. Newcastle are rumoured to be seriously interested in signing the former Monaco midfielder before the window closes.
"I would’ve liked to have seen him [Tielemans] at Liverpool," Hamann told Sky Sports in response to that rumour. "I think he’s a brilliant player and if Newcastle were able to get his service they made a brilliant transfer because I think he’s been one of the best centre players for Leicester in the last few seasons.
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"I think he will be the missing piece in that midfield in the jigsaw of Newcastle and if they were to sign him I think he would be a brilliant transfer for Newcastle."
Liverpool are currently without injured midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, while Curtis Jones has just returned to training. Jordan Henderson also picked up a complaint in the 2-1 victory against Newcastle on Wednesday.
Klopp has previously admitted he will only sign a new central midfielder if he's the "right player". Although Arthur may not be that midfielder, his temporary agreement allows Liverpool to get Klopp's dream player if and when the chance arises in the future.
It's believed Liverpool's primary central midfield target is Jude Bellingham, yet he's set to stay at Borussia Dortmund until at least June 2023. The England international, 19, is valued at £100m and is viewed by many as one of the best young footballers in Europe.
Klopp admitted Liverpool's need for reinforcements last Friday. "I know we have had this discussion since it all started and I am the one who said we don't need a midfielder and you were all right and I was wrong," the German told reporters.
"That’s the situation. There is really nothing more to say about it. We are looking for it, and if it is the right player we need him and if it is not the right player we don’t need him."
