Liverpool have midfield trio Sofyan Amrabat, Mikel Merino and Piotr Zielinski on their transfer wish list ahead of the summer window, journalist Rudy Galetti has told GiveMeSport.
The Reds are believed to be in the market for engine room reinforcements following their struggles this season and could turn to the aforementioned players to solve their woes.
Liverpool transfer news – midfield
Towards the end of the previous summer window, Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool were ‘looking’ for reinforcements in the middle of the park after falsely believing his side didn’t need any.
Arthur then arrived on a season-long loan deal from Juventus but has only played 13 minutes of first-team action due to a serious injury.
Additionally, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are also out of contract in the summer, meaning Klopp may be in need of several midfield acquisitions ahead of next season.
The Athletic revealed back in November that Liverpool have made Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham one of their top targets.
However, the Bundesliga outfit are said to value the 19-year-old at around £130 million while the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City are also interested, meaning securing his signature could prove to be a difficult task.
What has Galetti said about Liverpool?
Liverpool are currently struggling in mid-table and attracting the likes of Bellingham may be difficult without Champions League football on offer next term.
But Galetti has told GMS that the Anfield outfit has three other stars on their radar when quizzed over potential midfield targets.
He said: “As well as Amrabat, who was courted by Barcelona in this winter transfer season, [Liverpool are also looking at] Merino of Real Sociedad and Zielinski, whose contract will expire in June 2024 and will most likely leave Napoli at the end of the season.”
Are the trio realistic signings?
Merino, who earns £40,000-per-week, has played a pivotal part in Sociedad’s rise to the upper echelons of the La Liga standings, registering two goals and seven assists in 24 appearances.
The Spain international still has two and a half years left to run on his current contract, though, meaning he is likely to demand a significant transfer fee.
Fiorentina’s Amrabat is in a similar position given his £30,000-per-week deal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, although La Viola have the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
Meanwhile, as Galetti stated, Zielinski’s £107,000-per-week contract will expire in 18 months, meaning Napoli could be forced to offload him on the cheap.