Liverpool could sign NEXT N’Golo Kante

The focus at the moment is very much on the attack when it comes to Richard Hughes' recruitment.

But Liverpool have other objectives as well. For the last few years, they've been trying to sign a holding midfielder.

READ MORE: Not just Florian Wirtz - Liverpool have ANOTHER exciting German wonderkid

Aurelien Tchouameni was the first target. Then it became Moises Caicedo and last summer the Reds pursued Martin Zubimendi.

All of it was to no avail. Liverpool could not sign any of them but that doesn't mean they've given up.

Sure, Ryan Gravenberch has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League in that position.

However, Arne Slot doesn't want to rely on Gravenberch alone. Having Wataru Endo as a back-up is a brilliant option but long-term Liverpool will need someone else.

Anfield Watch exclusively revealed that Liverpool were interested in Dario Essugo before he joined Chelsea earlier this year. Essugo is a ball-winner and the club's interest indicates Liverpool are still looking for another option in the position.

That's why Anfield Watch understands the club has Amadou Kone on the club's radar as a player who has caught the eye in Ligue 1 this season.

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool weigh up moneyball move for PSG hitman

Kone is still a raw player but he has exciting potential.

He's just turned 20-years-old in May but already has established himself as a regular for Reims. Interestingly, FBref lists Essugo as the most similar player to Kone, which again indicates the profile of player Liverpool are looking for.

That profile based on Kone is someone who reads the game well, Kone thrives at making interceptions and disrupting the opposition's rhythm.

He's a good tackler of the ball as well, ranking in the 96th percentile (3.41 per 90) among midfielders in Europe's top five leagues.

In one vs one situation, he impressively wins 63% of the dribblers he challenges and averages 2.23 tackles won in Ligue 1.

As per Football Transfers, his profile has been compared to Caicedo (another player Liverpool wanted to sign) but there are shades of N'Golo Kante in his ability to win the ball as well.

Although Kone is significantly taller standing at around 1.8 metres.

Obviously, Kone would not necessarily be a starter for Liverpool, but as a back-up option, he'd be an exciting addition to this team.

Liverpool will never have a better chance to sign him either.

Reims have suffered relegation in Ligue 1, meaning they'll be playing in the second tier of France next season.

This will undoubtedly mean they will have to sell players. Kone being one of the prized assets at the club will undoubtedly be among the players Reims will consider selling, and there's an opportunity to get him in for a decent price.

Buying a gem from Ligue 2 is again very Kante esque and we'd all be in favour of this transfer from the Reds. It's definitely one to keep an eye on.

READ MORE: Liverpool could sign a THIRD Leverkusen star

The chances are he's going to leave Reims, and whoever will buy him will get an absolute gem. We really hope it will be Liverpool.