11 Jul 2021 11:23:12
Eds, as we are being linked with so many midfield players since Gini left, is there any chance of a quick summary to dispel some of the rumours and confirm who we are looking at?

Much appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - It would be something like this:

Yves Bissouma (CM/DM) Brighton will resist any approaches. He shares and agent with Pepe who he spent a season with at Lille and the agent failed to persuade Arsenal to move for him - and since then they have signed Partey and a change in the decision process at Arsenal means any move is unlikely unless they can clear the clutter Torreira, Xhaka and Guendouzi - then they could look to him to play alongside Partey. An upgrade on Xhaka and Elneny and will add experience if Dani Ceballos departs. He is another who would be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 and not Home Grown makes him less attractive to most English sides although Liverpool and Leicester have spoken with his representative. If Brighton can be persuaded to sell, his is price might cause problems for Liverpool where money is tight. First choice and don’t rule him out.

Florian Neuhaus (CM) There remains significant interest in the Borussia Muenchengladbach player with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund seeing him as a player who will continue to improve. Real Madrid have him as an option in midfield and his representative has made no secret that there has been interest from elsewhere including Manchester City, Spurs, Juventus and the Milanese clubs, but Milan seems a less likely destination. Borussia Dortmund will push hard for him but they have money issues. He would offer an outstanding solution with Wijnaldum leaving - but Liverpool may not have the necessary funds to pay in cash and will need to negotiate. Don't rule out an offer from Liverpool. BD interest will go with Rose's commitment to not take players from BM. I suspect the player will agree to an addition al year at Muenchengladbach if Bayern Munich hint at taking him next summer.

Ben Grist (CM) is a kiddie from Grimsby who is of serious interest to LIverpool - and a bunch of other Premier League sides - Leicester are trying hard to strike a deal and Manchester United have held talks. Hard to tell what will happen but very much one for the future.

Renato Sanches (CM) Lille are happy to let the player move on due to the constant muscle injuries he suffers; they wanted €20M cash or €30M with payments spread out although that could increase if Jorge Mendes can find multiple bidders. Klopp has praised him in the past, and he would be a more affordable replacement for Wijnaldum, but not the preferred option for Liverpool. There has been a discussion with Arsenal, and he will likely be offered to Spurs as well. Prior interest of Wolves will likely have left with NES. Unless Liverpool can get a really good deal on him it strikes me as unlikely, but Klopp may have a different view.

John McGinn (CM) Whilst he would be cheaper than other options, I am not aware of any approach to Aston Villa although one of the Aston Villa coaches has shared he has been watched by Liverpool. Not Home Grown but a lot of relevant Premier League experience. Aston Villa could price him out of a move if Grealish were to leave.

Saul Niguez (CM) Nobody will pay his release clause, but Atletico could look to a very high fee for a player who has a contract that runs for years in order to get his €300k weekly wage off the books. Bayern Munich's first choice to add for midfield and his agent has spoken with several sides as Atletico want to make very significant savings on salaries and could be forced into a corner by the player and his agent. But Bayern see his cash price at €60M (or €75M on terms) and wages of €300k as too high and will want to negotiate - they will almost certainly turn elsewhere. He is being offered to the usual suspects who have money – Barcelona (who would need to include players in a deal), Manchester United (who would need to offload Pogba), Juventus, Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea as a Kovacic replacement - many of which are looking to add a player in his position, but his wages are a major issue for most. Atletico have effectively signed his replacement in de Paul but may make other midfield changes as well. I am not aware of any approach from Liverpool to Atletico at this time, but he would be an excellent choice, but a lot more expensive than other options. Atletico have said that there has been a discussion with Barcelona. It is difficult to second guess what will happen. I think Barcelona will push for some sort of package deal including other players and cash. Atletico would prefer the cash. Other clubs could become involved if players are sold, Pogba for instance.

Christoph Baumgartner (AM/CM) Hoffenheim are not looking to sell and his agent has said that they will be discussing new contracts for Christoph Baumgartner and Florian Grillitsch with the club. To date three Premier League sides have asked his agent about availability - Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United. I am pretty sure he will stay at Hoffenheim but one to keep an eye on for the future.

Piotr Zielinski (CM/AM) Napoli have made his representatives aware that they would accept a bid of €50M and they are now offering him around. They will start with Liverpool who have had a long term interest and they say that Liverpool are open to the idea. The price would need to drop considerably to agree a sale. Kostas Tsimikas might be able to be used to reduce the price to something more acceptable. I understand that there has been direct contact between the clubs.

Isak Bergmann Johannesson (CM/AM/W/F) A versatile attacking kiddie. I am aware he has been watched by Odense and Burnley on several occasions. Manchester United, Oostende, Liverpool, Inter, Juventus, and Brann have had scouts at games. The Burnley link will be because of his father. For Liverpool, I would forget him.

Otavio (AM) Otavio was running down his contract and attracting the interest of Leicester and Roma - but that would have gone with him signing a new contract in March and a new €60M buyout clause kicking in on July 1. Klopp has admitted that he likes the player and Liverpool scouts had looked at him when checking out Grujic. A Shaqiri/Minamino replacement rather than a Wijnaldum replacement if Liverpool can find the cash. Liverpool would need to persuade him he will get game time. It seems very unlikely.}

1.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 12:27:38
Of anyone asks about a rumour again this window they should be stoned to death.

2.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 12:31:35
I'm reading this like someone on a horse and pulling as hard on the reighns Ed 2.

3.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 12:47:40
Have to say, it'd be pretty funny if we signed Zielinski as a replacement for Wijnaldum when we ended up with Wijnaldum instead of Zielinksi who was our first choice all those years ago now. Time is a flat circle, all roads lead to Rome, Fate and Destiny and all that.

4.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 12:40:50
Fabulous response Ed02

Thank You.

5.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 13:37:49
Amazing info Eds. Thanks for your time and effort. One not mentioned above that we have just been linked to is Sergey M-Savic. Any news on that one Eds?

{Ed002's Note - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM) No intention of selling and it would take a huge offer of perhaps €80M-€100M to make them reconsider. At that price the interested parties, Manchester United, Juventus and PSG, would want to include players in any deal.}

6.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 13:40:45
Excellent, excellent work Ed. Very much appreciated, thank you.

Some exciting players on that list, forget about likelihood for a minute, who would be the player you would pick to replace Gini? Reading between the lines it seems you like Saul and Neuhaus.

7.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 16:01:56
Who would you guys want?

8.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 16:07:32
Saul is marginally the best player on that list. Had no idea we were interested in Zielinski though. He's comfortably the 2nd best player listed here. The drop off from Saul and Zielinski to the rest is massive. Fingers crossed for one of those 2.

{Ed077's Note - Saul isnt "marginally the best player on that list." He is hands down the best player in the list, by quite some distance. Bissouma isnt too shabby either.

BTW, Is Zielinski that good?

9.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 17:19:16
He is brilliant Ed077. He's really not that far behind Saul, if at all. But those 2 are well ahead of all the other options, i agree.

Zielinski is good for about 10 goals and 10 assists a season from midfield. He'd be a brilliant addition if we can agree a fee. Much like Saul though, I'll believe it when I see it.

{Ed077's Note - Never thought of him as that good myself MK. He didnt start many games when I watched Napoli, who seem to have quite a few good midfielders. Fabian Ruiz looks quite a player, in my view.}

10.) 11 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 17:44:39
Top info Ed. Cheers for that!

11.) 12 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 18:01:06
You must be thinking of somebody else @Ed077 mate. He started 39 games altogether last season and got 10 goals and 10 assists.

{Ed077's Note - I don't watch Napoli too much. Must have been on those few games he didn't play much or play well.

12.) 12 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 18:55:06
I think you're maybe confusing him Ed077? Or possibly not watched Napoli for a few years? He's made 239 appearances in 5 seasons and he's never played less than 47 times a season since joining Napoli. He took a couple of years to get into the team. Only started about half the league games in his first 2 years. The last 3 though he's started 97/ 114 league games.

He's also got 32 goals and 28 assists in that time, which means he averages a goal involvement every 4 appearances. As far as Serie A goes, he's been right up there as one of the best midfielders in the league in the last 12 months. He's also very versatile. I've seen him play several times in Europe as Liverpool and Man City seem to draw Napoli every other year and he's played left midfield, centre mid, attacking mid and right midfield just in the games I've seen.

If we got Zielinski (or Saul), I genuinely think our midfield goes to the same level as Man City's.

{Ed077's Note - don't watch Napoli or Serie A religiously mate. Must be some coincidence then that I manage to catch the games that he doesn't feature much in.

13.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 00:40:59
Mk he's definitely not worth that amount every season he's quality like but not that good.

14.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 08:29:02
Great summary Ed, nice one.

15.) 12 Jul 2021
11 Jul 2021 21:21:24
Thanks Eds. Looking forward to seeing who we end up with.

16.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 13:03:46
Great list and detailed summary. Can’t believe so many alternatives. Still can’t understand why players are still valued at pre C.V., Neymar inflated prices.

17.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 12:04:29
Redjoe, apologies mate. I meant to write 10 goals and assists. 60 goal involvements in 5 seasons is not to be sniffed at from a midfielder either way.

Ed077, you must be a jinx! I hope you're not a Liverpool fan?

{Ed077's Note - Isnt Bruno already about to reach 60 goal involvements in 1 and a half season?😋

18.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 14:04:23
Definitely not to be sniffed at any goals that we can bring in from midfield would be great but I do believe that if Curtis Jones was given 30 starts up to 40 odd appearances that he would hit those numbers so the club may be better suited to giving him the chance.

19.) 12 Jul 2021
12 Jul 2021 16:59:37
Zielinski is who Klopp originally wanted in the summer of 2016. He did not sign cos we tapped him up hence, he went to Napoli (even tho we reportedly offered more money) and we went for Gini instead. Pretty sure Klopp has not abandoned his love for him and has always kept an eye on him all these years? Very good player, indeed.