If there was ever an update Liverpool fans didn’t want, this was it. For months, they were optimistic about seeing Jude Bellingham in the Reds’ kit next season. The young Dortmunder as a fixed point in the new Klopp midfield – that promised a spirit of optimism! But now there was a surprising turn. SPOX shows the alternatives for the Reds if the Englishman does not actually come.
This week, however, reported The Athleticthat a move by the BVB star to Merseyside is “increasingly unlikely” as Real Madrid and especially Manchester City are said to be leading the race for the 19-year-old English international.
Liverpool sources remain silent, but with Jurgen Klopp speaking publicly of the need for a ‘big summer’ and the contracts of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain expiring at the end of the season, a medium-heavy rebuild is on the cards expect of midfield.
Work is being done behind the scenes, but the uncertain to improbable participation in the Champions League is certainly not helpful.
Bellingham remains the dream, of course, but as Klopp recently pointed out, there are plenty of talented footballers available for a club like Liverpool. And according to sources familiar with the situation at Anfield, there’s a long list of potential goals for the summer regardless of whether the side finish in the top four or not.
With that in mind, SPOX takes a look at some of the players who could, or even should, find themselves on the Reds’ radar…
Alexis MacAllister
Then how about Caicedo’s teammate? Alexis Mac Allister is undoubtedly a hot potato: he played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup victory and there are always new rumors about the strong driver.
The 24-year-old’s father Carlos reportedly attended Liverpool’s Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield last month and Alexis’ mix of attacking drive and defensive prowess undoubtedly makes him a player who can make the difference for Liverpool could.
However, given the Reds’ 5-2 defeat by Real that night, the Mac Allister clan might reconsider the idea of a move to Liverpool…
Mason Mount
It is increasingly likely that the England international will leave Chelsea this summer. Mount is entering his final year of contract and negotiations for an extension are stalling.
Liverpool, Manchester United and up-and-coming Newcastle are all interested. Meanwhile, Mount is positioning himself and has hired a new agent in Neil Fewings, who would like to see a summer transfer in the pipeline.
Mount is certainly not playing his best season, but he has long been a valued player at Liverpool. His running, clever style of play with a flair for open space could come in handy as Klopp rebuilds his midfield.
It can be expected that the Reds will try very hard for the 24-year-old this summer.
Matheus Nunes
Nunes’ first season in the Premier League is no slouch. Nevertheless, the Liverpool management level thinks a lot of the 24-year-old. However, last summer they decided against a transfer and Nunes joined Wolves from Sporting CP.
So maybe a transfer at the second attempt is now an option. Nunes would be a comparatively cheap candidate with a transfer fee of an estimated 57 million euros.
Declan Rice
Should an England international (Bellingham) prove unattainable for Liverpool, why not court another (Rice)?
Rice, like Bellingham, has long been linked with a move to a top four club. However, the 24-year-old has struggled to live up to high expectations at West Ham this season.
Arsenal is the club that is supposed to advertise Rice most intensively, ManUnited is also mentioned again and again. The expected fee of £100m (roughly €122m) would definitely be a deterrent for Liverpool.
Nicolo Barella
Jürgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders are big fans of the European champions. You only have to read Lijnders’ book ‘Intensity’ and you will know how highly the Reds think about Barella. Since his club Inter is in financial difficulties, a change could be possible on reasonably reasonable terms in the summer.
At 26, the Italy international is in his prime and a reported asking price of around £60m (€73m) shouldn’t prove prohibitive – even if Liverpool should miss out on Champions League qualification.
Whether Barella would be satisfied with the Europa League or the Europa Conference League is another matter.
Joao Palhinha
Fulham are having an excellent season in the Premier League and that’s to Palhinha’s credit too. Others get the headlines, he usually cleans up the field inconspicuously.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Cottagers from Sporting CP for €24m last summer, is well known in Liverpool’s scouting department.
Palhinha is already in the best footballing age. Two factors speak against him: On the one hand, he acts a bit too defensively for Klopp’s taste and on the other hand, Liverpool usually only invests large sums in key positions in younger players.
Teun Koopmeiners
Koopmeiners is a player who has been a topic at Anfield before and has been traded as a new signing in recent months. Much to the delight of the Dutch international, by the way.
Koopmeiners ticks many boxes in terms of age (25), physical profile and experience at AZ Alkmaar, Atalanta and Elftal.
His versatility, being able to play in both central and attacking midfield, is also attractive. However, he wouldn’t be cheap as he is a key player in Bergamo and has a contract there until 2025 with an option for another year.
Adrian Rabiot
Rabiot has long been associated with a move to the Premier League and was one of France’s best players at the World Cup in Qatar.
Should Juventus Turin not succeed in extending him, Rabiot would also be available on a free transfer next summer.
He would bring plenty of experience at the top level, as well as his undeniably abundant footballing abilities. However, Rabiot’s salary expectations are likely to be very high – especially for a player who will be 28 in the summer.
Sofian Amrabat
As one of the rising stars of the 2022 World Cup, the Moroccan was traded as a candidate for a move to Liverpool immediately after the tournament. However, the alleged interest in Amrabat was downplayed in the Reds’ environment.
The 26-year-old, who plays for Fiorentina in Serie A, is probably more of a classic six than most on this list. Amrabat would bring penetrating power and energy to Liverpool but his price is likely to have risen sharply after his performances in Qatar. And there are currently few signs that he would be high on Liverpool’s wish list.
Manu Kone
Another Bundesliga star on the list, Koné plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach and has also been linked with Newcastle United, among others.
At just 21, the Frenchman has a bright future ahead of him. Koné is already quite complete, making him even more interesting for a club like Liverpool. And in terms of price, a Konés transfer for the Reds would also be easy to handle, according to media reports it should only cost around 34 million euros.
Luka Sucic
Liverpool have been following Sucic’s development for several years. The 20-year-old could be the next youngster to lay the foundation for a successful career in Salzburg.
The Croatia international, who is more a provider and goalscorer than a destroyer, is likely to be on the cards at some top clubs. But Liverpool’s ties with Red Bull clubs are strong, so the Reds could be in good hands with Sucic.
Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch is one of the most interesting names to hit the market this summer. The Dutchman has yet to establish himself at Bayern since moving from Ajax to Munich ahead of the season and is struggling to find enough playing time.
Even before the transfer to FCB, Liverpool had Gravenberch in their sights – and at just 20 years old, the technician still has enormous potential.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern Gravenberch actually wants to give up after just one year. If the German record champions are ready, Liverpool should definitely knock.
