The prospect of Jude Bellingham joining Liverpool this summer has provided some solace to their supporters in the midst of the Reds’ underwhelming season which they are bound to finish as trophyless. Liverpool sources have remained tight-lipped throughout, but with Jurgen Klopp publicly stating the need for a ‘big summer’, and with the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tipped to leave at the end of season, the club’s recruitment team could be already underway to identify potential summer targets.
Even if the club’s potential inability to secure Champions League qualification serves as an unwelcome impediment and distraction, Liverpool are determined to land at least a superstar midfielder in the summer. While Bellingham remains their top priority, Klopp recently underlined there are other talented footballers available for the club. And, according to sources close to the situation at Anfield, there is a long list of potential summer targets, regardless of whether they finish in the top four or not.
Here are some of brilliant footballing brains who could find themselves on that list other than Bellingham.
Liverpool summer midfield targets:
Mason Mount
Mason Mount is in the final year of his contract and talks over a new deal have stalled, making it increasingly likely that the England international will leave Chelsea this summer. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle are all interested, and the 24-year-old has already hired a new agent, Neil Fewings, in anticipation of a summer move.
Mount hasn’t had the best season, but the Reds have long admired him, and his hard-running, positionally-aware style of play could be very useful as Klopp rebuilds his midfield. This summer, expect the Reds to be very competitive for Mount.
Moises Caicedo
The Brighton midfielder is clearly destined for a Champions League club, and he was heavily pursued by Premier League leaders Arsenal as well as big-spending Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window. Despite the Ecuadorian’s public declaration of desire to leave, Brighton remained firm.
Caicedo has since signed a new contract with the Amex Stadium, though many believe it is more about protecting his value than a long-term desire to stay on the South Coast. Liverpool sources have previously downplayed the club’s interest in the 21-year-old, but Caicedo’s age and all-round skill set would make him an ideal fit for the Reds, even if he is likely to cost more than £80 million.
Matheus Nunes
Despite a mixed debut season in the Premier League with Wolves, Nunes is highly regarded by Liverpool. Indeed, reports earlier this year suggested that an agreement had already been reached for the Reds to make a summer bid for the 24-year-old, despite Liverpool declining to pursue the player after Wolves signed him from Sporting CP last summer.
Nunes, who has been in and out at the Molineux so far, still has a lot to prove in England, but he is versatile and skilled, and would not break the bank at around £50 million.
Declan Rice
Rice, like Bellingham, has long been linked with a move to a top-four club, though West Ham’s struggles this season must have cast doubt on the 24-year-ability old’s to compete at the highest level.
Arsenal is said to be the most interested in signing Rice this summer, while Manchester United has long been a fan. Liverpool is also interested in the player, though whether they would spend £100 million ($122 million) on a defensive midfielder is debatable.
Nicolo Barella
A player who is highly regarded by Jürgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders — and who might be on the market for a high-profile transfer this summer given Inter’s financial troubles.
The Italian international is in his prime at age 26, so even if Liverpool were to miss out on Champions League qualification, a rumoured asking price of roughly £60 million ($73 million) shouldn’t be too much to ask. Yet, it is debatable whether Barella would be interested in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
Adrien Rabiot
Another player who is frequently mentioned in connection with a move to the Premier League and who was one of France’s top players at the most recent World Cup. Rabiot’s contract expires in the summer as well, but Juventus wants to keep him in Turin longer.
He would bring his undeniable quality and a wealth of elite experience to any club. Nonetheless, his salary demands would be high, particularly for a player who would be 28 by the start of the summer.
Alexis Mac Allister
After helping Argentina win the World Cup, Mac Allister is unquestionably in high demand. He, like Caicedo, has already been linked with a move to a bigger, more prestigious club. The 24-year-old’s, father Carlos, reportedly witnessed Liverpool’s Champions League match against Real Madrid at Anfield last month.
There’s no doubt that Alexis stands out as a player who may make a difference for Liverpool because of his combination of attacking cunning and defensive output. But, given that Reds’ 5-2 loss to Real that evening, the Mac Allister family might want to reconsider moving to Merseyside.
Joao Palhinha
Palhinha, a player well known to Liverpool’s scouting staff, was one of the unsung heroes of Fulham’s outstanding Premier League campaign. Palhinha was also a bargain when he left Sporting CP for just £20 million ($24 million) last summer.
Although he is more of a defensive midfielder than a No. 8, and Liverpool have typically opted to target younger players when making high-priced signings in crucial positions, he should be entering his prime at the age of 27, even if.
Sofyan Amrabat
After the 2022 World Cup, the Moroccan, who was one of the tournament’s breakout stars, was strongly linked with Liverpool, although club insiders later downplayed the Reds’ interest.
The 26-year-old, who represents Fiorentina in Serie A, is more of a specialist defensive midfielder than some of the others on this list, so he would offer steel and energy, but his price will have increased due to his performances in Qatar, and there is no sign that Liverpool is prioritising him right now.
Teun Koopmeiners
A player who, much to the delight of the Dutchman, Liverpool is well aware of and has been connected with recently. With his age (24), physical attributes, and background with AZ Alkmaar, Atalanta, and the Dutch national team, Koopmeiners checks off many boxes.
He can play as a deep-lying or more advanced midfielder, which is another intriguing quality, but he wouldn’t be cheap because he’s an important member of the Bergamo team.
Luka Sucic
A name Liverpool has been aware of for some time, and one who appears set to join the long list of successful Red Bull Salzburg graduates. Sucic is still only 20, but his all-around game should make him a desirable prospect for any top club.
He’s more of a creator and goalscorer than a destroyer, but Liverpool’s relationship with the Red Bull group is strong, and this is a player with serious potential.
Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch is an intriguing name who could become available this summer after struggling at Bayern Munich since joining from Ajax last year. The Dutch international was closely watched by Liverpool before joining Bayern Munich, and at 20 years old, he still has a lot to offer any top club.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern are willing to give up on him so quickly. If they are, Liverpool will almost certainly ask the question.