Liverpool have confirmed their first major signing of the summer. Darwin Núñez has joined from Benfica for up to £85 million, but the Reds’ transfer activity won’t finish there.
The Liverpool ECHO report that next on the agenda for the Anfield club will be to bring in a new star midfielder. Conflicting reports from the paper suggest Liverpool could be waiting until next summer to sign one, but today they question whether Jürgen Klopp can afford to delay till then.
On top of Liverpool’s list of priorities concerning a new midfielder was Aurelien Tchouameni. However, he has completed a move to Real Madrid this summer, so the Reds have been forced to look elsewhere.
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Liverpool have been linked to a plethora of names regarding a potential new midfield recruit. Among them have been Inter’s Nicolo Barella, Ibrahim Sangare of PSV, and Barcelona midfielder Gavi. However, Liverpool have been long-term admirers of Jude Bellingham, and he likely sat second on that list behind Tchouameni.
If Liverpool want to keep up with the ever-improving Manchester City, making a move for the Borussia Dortmund star would be wise.
The Liverpool midfield is ageing, with Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner’s peak years behind them. Thus, signing a young, hungry midfielder in the form of Bellingham would help to rejuvenate Liverpool’s engine room.
Whether Bellingham will be available this summer is not yet clear. Dortmund have, of course, just sold Erling Haaland and will be reluctant to let two star players leave in one transfer window.
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It would depend on Bellingham perhaps pushing for a move, which would be out of character from the Englishman.
That said, Bellingham is ready for that big move after a couple of very successful seasons in Germany. He starred for England against Germany in the Nations League a few days ago and was arguably the Three Lions’ best player on the night.
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Contract talks have been opened with Naby Keita in recent days. Jürgen Klopp will also be hoping Harvey Elliot can rediscover his pre-injury form after he broke his ankle last season.
Fabio Carvalho arrives from Fulham as another midfield option too. Thus, Liverpool may choose to settle with what they already have in the engine room ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jude Bellingham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Darwin Nunez