Liverpool want £67m talent who’s just like Zubimendi

Liverpoool have entered the October worldwide break atop the Premier League desk, with six victories claimed from seven top-flight matches underneath Arne Slot.

The brand new period at Anfield is shifting apace, however Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal are snapping on the Reds’ heels in second and third and are thought of title favourites above Liverpool by the bulk.

That is okay, the Merseysiders have proved that they’ve the standard to take such imperious outfits all the best way, and that is regardless of failing to signal a brand new defensive midfielder to improve on Wataru Endo, who was proved by means of pre-season to be a second-fiddle possibility in Slot’s thoughts.

Furthermore, the Japanese, aged 31, is ready to be offered in 2025, as per Soccer Insider, with Slot and co targetting a youthful breed of quantity six to supply competitors for Ryan Gravenberch.

Gravenberch has since stepped as much as the plate within the deep-lying midfield division, arguably Liverpool’s greatest participant thus far this time period. The Merseysiders cannot rue the botched try and signal Martin Zubimendi as vehemently anymore.

Liverpool’s failure to signal Martin Zubimendi

It was August, within the week previous the return to Premier League motion, the start of one thing new at Liverpool, for Jurgen Klopp had stepped down and Slot had arrived, prepared to guide the membership and its proficient squad.

However Liverpool had not made a senior signing all summer time and had been the one Premier League aspect to carry that tag. Federico Chiesa was after all bought towards the top of the window for simply £12.5m, however Zubimendi was the prize to supercharge this new ball-focused model.

Zubimendi nonetheless performs his soccer at his beloved Actual Sociedad. It is humorous how issues work out, with Gravenberch going from energy to energy as a product of this missed switch bid. That mentioned, Liverpool might want to pack their centre with some extra expertise, particularly if Endo is offered.

Liverpool switch information

The ordinary Aurelien Tchouameni exit rumours are right here, everybody. In keeping with stories from Spain, Tchouameni is attracting curiosity from abroad, with Carlo Ancelotti not fairly impressed along with his midfield titan within the wake of Toni Kroos’ retirement.

It is understood that the La Liga giants would think about a sale within the ballpark of €80m (£67m), which might be a loss on the deal rising to £85m that was paid again in 2022, with Actual beating Liverpool to his signature.

Arsenal and Manchester United each maintain an curiosity within the 24-year-old, however it’s Slot’s Reds who’re believed to be main the race at this preliminary stage.

Why Aurelien Tchouameni could be excellent for Liverpool

Tchouameni’s ever-appearing exit rumours at Actual Madrid do level towards a switch away at some stage. The France worldwide is without doubt one of the best midfielders in Europe and could be a credit score to any aspect value their salt – and Liverpool have clearly completed their share of due diligence.

Having performed 99 matches for Madrid, Tchouameni has received Champions League and La Liga titles and earned himself a repute as probably the greatest within the enterprise, with expertise scout Jacek Kulig claiming he is “destined for excellent issues” earlier than his switch away from France.

Liverpool have profiled the expertise and, additional to the purpose, is perhaps particularly excited by snapping him up on account of his likeness to the aforementioned Zubimendi. In keeping with FBref’s participant comparability device, the Spaniard is certainly considered one of Tchouameni’s most comparable gamers.

Let’s check out how the 2 stars examine in La Liga this season, with Gravenberch’s metrics within the Premier League chucked into the equation too, for contextualisation.

It is exhausting to find out which of the three midfielders is having fun with the grandest of campaigns, however Gravenberch’s potential to rise and match such established skills after enjoying a bit-part position for Klopp’s Liverpool is spectacular.

Nonetheless, Tchouameni nonetheless appears to be the gold normal, described as “world-class” by Transfermarkt’s Stefan Bienkowski, for he’s the toughest-tackling and crispest ball-playing of the three. Zubimendi barely outmarks the others in duelling success however all three boast comparable and noteworthy metrics in that regard.

As per Squawka, Tchouameni additionally outranks Zubimendi for ahead passes (23.9 to 18.9) and has misplaced fewer passes (7.1 to 10.2) per 90 minutes in La Liga this season, additional emphasising his anticipated suitability inside Slot’s Liverpool set-up.

Let’s be sincere, there is a motive why Liverpool joined Actual Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in holding a vested curiosity within the Frenchman whereas he plied his craft with AS Monaco, and, extra to the purpose, there is a motive why he selected Los Blancos – who’re plainly essentially the most prestigious workforce on this planet.

However he is had a style of Spain and Liverpool aren’t precisely minnows both. Slot is cooking one thing at Anfield and can want extra verve in his midfield zone to really attain the lofty heights desired.

Gravenberch might need a factor or two to say about assembly such high-standard competitors for his place on the nub of the engine room, but when Endo is to be offered in 2025, added impetus shall be required.

What higher than to signal considered one of Europe’s elite? Tchouameni coexists with some top-class skills within the Spanish capital, and pulling this one off would reinforce Liverpool’s declare for the highest spot on the English and European scene.