Liverpool are looking to refresh their midfield and will likely be making moves in the transfer market in the summer as they look to strengthen their squad after a below-par season.
The Reds are currently eighth in the table with 47 points, three points off a European place and nine points off the top four. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner all have contracts that expire at the end of the season, and there is a need for fresh faces in order to maintain squad depth and provide options in case of injury or dips in form.
A move to Anfield for Jude Bellingham has been rumoured all season; however, this is now more than likely off the table. The 19-year-old has been valued at £132 million, according to the Athletic, and Liverpool are keen to spend such money on two midfield signings instead.
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The Reds have been linked with numerous transfer targets throughout the season in the midfield department, but here is a breakdown of six possible options Liverpool could sign in place of the Borussia Dortmund star.
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool have recently been linked with Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch. The 20-year-old moved to the Bundesliga from Ajax in the summer transfer window. The Dutchman is a versatile player, able to play as a number six, eight, or 10, meaning he could slot into Liverpool’s midfield wherever he is needed. The reported asking price is £25m, only £5m more than what Bayern paid in the summer.
Matheus Nunes
Wolves broke their transfer record to sign Matheus Nunes in the summer transfer window, but Liverpool have shown an interest of late. Nunes can operate as either a holding midfielder or a number 8 to provide competition for Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. The Portuguese has also drawn interest from Manchester United in recent weeks. Football Insider reports that the asking price for Nunes is £50 million; however, this could be cut to £30m if Wolves are relegated from the Premier League.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been rumoured to be joining the Reds for a little while now. The Chelsea man has scored three goals and registered two assists in the Premier League so far this season. Mount can play as an attacking midfielder on both sides of the pitch or as a central midfielder, with his main role as a number 10. He can slot into a Liverpool front three or play on either side of the midfield. The Athletic reports that the asking price is £70 million.
Moises Caicedo
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was in high demand in the January transfer window, with the Seagulls rejecting bids from both Arsenal and Chelsea, but Liverpool have also been linked. Caicedo mainly plays on the left side of the pitch as a defensive midfielder, providing an alternative option to Fabinho. He can also play the number eight role. He has an average passing accuracy of 88.95% this season, with a goal and an assist to his name. The Times reported in January that Brighton’s asking price for the Ecuadorian is £100 million.
Alexis Mac Allister
Rumoured Liverpool transfer target Alexis Mac Allister plays as an attacking midfielder in a number 10 role for Brighton and has scored eight goals and registered one assist this season. He could easily slot into Liverpool’s front three, or operate down the left of the midfield. Mac Allister impresses with his movement off the ball, moving between the lines with good body positioning and passing. The World Cup winner has a price tag of £60m, according to Football Insider.
Conor Gallagher
Chelsea man Conor Gallagher impressed on loan at Crystal Palace in the 2021/22 season. Back at Chelsea this year, he has 2 goals and 1 assist in the league so far, and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in a transfer for the Englishman. Gallagher is a strong presser for the ball and mainly plays in a central number eight role in Chelsea’s midfield, but can also play as a number 10. In a Liverpool midfield, he could act as an option to Jordan Henderson or Thiago. According to journalist Dean Jones, the asking price for Conor Gallagher is £50m.
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