Liverpool may seek a new midfielder this summer, especially following Wataru Endo’s suggestion and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s unsuccessful stint with England.
With pre-season looming, Liverpool supporters are eagerly anticipating the club’s first summer signing at Anfield. This anticipation is shared among the current players.
The specific area that Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes will prioritize remains unclear. However, a suggestion from Wataru Endo, despite potentially affecting his own playing time, hints at a need for Liverpool to reinforce their defensive midfield.
“I don’t care about those reports, but I also think it would be better to get a No. 6 midfielder,” he said via MSN. “I think there is a possibility that they are viewing [Alexis] Mac Allister as a No. 6, but at the moment there aren’t many No. 6 players to begin with.”
Liverpool underwent a significant midfield overhaul last year, but the defensive position remains a priority, particularly with Thiago Alcantara’s departure. Moreover, any notion of Trent Alexander-Arnold permanently transitioning to midfield appears to have been quashed following Gareth Southgate’s unsuccessful trial with England.
So, who might Liverpool look to recruit as their new defensive midfielder? Newsnow Liverpool has identified five potential candidates for Slot and Hughes to evaluate.
Joshua Kimmich
Liverpool have frequently been linked to Joshua Kimmich, but this summer, there might be a genuine opportunity to sign the German international. Florian Plettenberg reports that Bayern Munich have no plans to extend Kimmich’s contract beyond 2025 and will let him leave if a suitable offer comes in.
Additionally, Liverpool are among the clubs Kimmich is interested in joining, along with Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. At 29, he is older than the typical player Liverpool target, but his versatility, including the ability to play right-back, makes him an attractive option.
Bruno Guimaraes
It may seem unlikely, but Bruno Guimaraes is a name frequently linked with Liverpool. Although he is more of a traditional midfielder, he undoubtedly has the ability to excel in the No. 6 role.
Additionally, Newcastle might need to sell players to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules. Fabrizio Romano reports that Guimaraes’s $126 million (£100 million/€118 million) release clause has expired, and decisions about his future will be made as offers come in over the next few weeks. Liverpool might want to consider making a bid.
Joao Neves
Liverpool haven’t been heavily linked to Joao Neves this summer, with Manchester United and Arsenal showing much more interest. However, Portuguese outlet CM Jornal suggested earlier this month that the Reds are prepared to make a substantial offer for the 19-year-old.
Neves would be a promising prospect for the future, but with Stefan Bajcetic already in the squad, Liverpool might prefer a more experienced player. Additionally, Benfica is known for being tough negotiators, with report indicating that Neves has a release clause of $128.2 million (£101.4 million/€120 million).
Ederson
In the early summer, there was a lot of buzz about Atalanta star Ederson potentially moving to Anfield. Although those rumours have quieted considerably, Liverpool should still keep him on their radar.
At 24, Ederson has his best years ahead of him. He’s just finished an outstanding season in Italy, playing a key role in Atalanta’s Europa League title win. His impressive form earned him his international debut for Brazil earlier this month, and he is currently in the United States for the Copa America.
In other Liverpool news, Darwin Nunez Names Ex-Liverpool Player Who Has Been Helping Him Through Spell at Anfield