Liverpool are searching frantically for a new midfield signing to complete their summer spending.
However, as the hours tick down to tomorrow’s deadline, it looks more and more likely that The Reds will be left empty-handed.
To many Liverpool supporters, that would represent a major risk. Not only would it leave Jurgen Klopp with a cohort of injured, or injury-prone, players, it could also leave him with a lot of work to do next year.
Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract next summer. Liverpool will need to replace them, whilst also adding quality.
As we know, The Reds don’t tend to sign more than two or three players per window. That may now have to change next summer as they search to replace their departing stars.
As a result, money may be tight. With that in mind, here are three midfielders who Liverpool can sign for absolutely nothing in 2023.
Reds could move for targets next summer
Konrad Laimer is a name that has been cropping up in the final days of the transfer window. Liverpool are reportedly interested in the Austrian.
However, it would apparently take a ‘crazy’ bid to prise him away from RB Leipzig now. That’s fine, Liverpool can simply pick him up next summer when his contract runs out. By then, he’ll be twenty-six, in his prime and ready to slot into The Reds midfield.
Another player who has been routinely linked with a move to Anfield is Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian still finds himself at Leicester despite being seemingly available for a knockdown fee this summer. Unless there’s a late bid for him today or tomorrow, the 25-year-old can leave for nothing next year.
That could be an interesting option for Liverpool as they look to supplement a potential big signing with some squad-filling players.
An option from left-field
Finally, a real blast from the past could once again be on the cards. We’re talking about Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar.
Once a flying winger who Liverpool were ready to spend as much as £70m on (BBC Sport), he’s now running down his contract as a midfielder at Atletico.
Klopp is obviously a fan of the 26-year-old and could be interested in picking him up for nothing. A versatile player, Lemar could also act as decent cover for the forward line. What’s not to love?
If reports are to be believed, Liverpool could be willing to go massive on bringing in Jude Bellingham. But regardless of Bellingham’s addition, Liverpool will need at least one or two more.
All of these three players have been reported to be of interest to Liverpool in the past. Perhaps they’ll sense the opportunity to bring one or more of them in without the risk of a transfer fee.
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