Liverpool eyeing ‘one of the best defensive midfielders’ around, £52m price tag – journalist
Liverpool have had to turn their attentions elsewhere in wake of two missed opportunities to bolster their midfield.
The Reds reportedly had their sights on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but they’ve lost out on both to Chelsea.
With just two weeks to go in the summer transfer window, Liverpool will be looking to move quickly for alternatives
Other names (some previously linked) are doing the rounds, including Sofyan Amrabat and Ryan Gravenberch.
Then we have Joao Palhinha of Fulham, and speculation linking him with Liverpool seems to be intensifying.
Sacha Tavolieri has taken to Twitter to claim that he is “still part of the options in the midfield for Liverpool FC.”
The journalist included a tweet he sent in July, in which he said the Reds were “the most keen club to get him
In terms of price tag, Liverpool could potentially expect to pay around £52million for Palhinha.
Palhinha would be a good shout for Liverpool for sure. We’ve all seen what the 28-year-old is capable of in the Premier League.
As Dean Jones said to GiveMeSport in June, “he has been one of the best defensive midfield players in the league over the course of the past season.”
Palhinha made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League last season, averaging 4.2 per game.
While £52million if a hefty fee, it has been scaled down from prior reports suggesting Fulham wanted around £90million
There’s a lot for Liverpool to think about on this front. Palhinha is quality, but he won’t be cheap.
And at 28 years of age, his resale value won’t be particularly high in the latter stages of, say a four-year contract.
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Liverpool have submit a bid to sign Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Endo, 30, is the captain of the Japanese national team and has made 50 appearances for his country.
Having made his senior debut for Shonan Bellmare in 2010, Endo has played for Urawa Reds and Sint-Truiden before landing in Stuttgart for €1.7million in July 2020.
Under contract until 2024, Liverpool obviously see an opportunity to sign a proven midfielder for a modest price.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a “formal bid” has been made to sign Endo.
Romano does not name the fee Liverpool have put on the table but he does say negotiations are “ongoing”.
Endo is very eager to move to Anfield as he sees it as the “biggest opportunity of his career”.
Romano’s full post on Twitter read: “Liverpool submit formal bid to sign Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo on permanent deal.
“Negotiations ongoing with Stuttgart — player wants the move as it’s biggest opportunity of his career.
“Surprising move by Liverpool director [Jorg] Schmadtke.”
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The Reds are in dire need of midfield recruits having sold Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
They signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai earlier this summer but the unexpected sales of the two experienced midfielders has left Jurgen Klopp chasing one or two new signings.
As everyone knows, Liverpool tried and failed to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton despite having a £115million bid accepted by their Premier League rivals.
Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia has been linked with a move to Anfield all summer but the Reds had two bids rejected by the Saints and the player is now edging closer to following Caicedo to Chelsea.
Another player being linked with Liverpool is Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, who is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar.
Romano also reported on Amrabat on Wednesday evening.
He wrote on Twitter: “Liverpool are now informed on Sofyan Amrabat, as AD reported. No formal bid made yet — just contact to be informed on conditions of the deal.
“No decision made yet, Liverpool are still exploring market to pick new favorite DM.
