Liverpool could FINALLY make deal for long-term midfield target

Liverpool have got important transfer business to attend to with Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. It looks like those two players will soon follow Jeremie Frimpong and Armi Pecsi as summer arrivals at Anfield.

Negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over Wirtz have reached a critical juncture and, hopefully, a swift resolution will follow for the £126m-rated playmaker.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms 'agreement is done' for record-breaking Liverpool deal

Kerkez meanwhile is expected to cost in the region of £40m and £45m when his signing from Bournemouth is concluded. And once Richard Hughes finalises those deals then Liverpool can move on to strengthening other areas.

EXCLUSIVE: Wonderkid will join Liverpool first team in pre-season

There have been extensive links to centre-forwards - with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro among those listed - while a centre-back could also be on the agenda depending on the future of Ibrahima Konate.

Liverpool require midfield reinforcements

One area that has perhaps been overlooked this summer is central midfield. Having missed out on Martin Zubimendi ahead of last season, the Reds opted only to retain their midfield options going into Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge.

But the strain on Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai began to tell by the closing stages of the season and Liverpool could do with one more high-quality midfielder this summer.

We’ve heard whispers about Morten Frendrup, Angelo Stiller and Nicolo Rovella, among others. And Anfieldwatch has also detailed the club's interest in Mikel Jauregizar.

But now, given the sweeping changes about to be wrought on Real Madrid by Xabi Alonso, the Reds could have an opportunity to make an offer for an old favourite.

Real Madrid ready to discard Tchouameni

Aurelien Tchouameni was close to agreeing a move to Anfield back in 2022 but opted to move to the Bernabeu instead. However, according to a report in Fichajes, the France midfielder is one of THREE stars set to be discarded by the new Madrid coach.

“In Tchouaméni's case, his inconsistent season would have been key to opening the door for him to leave,” the report reads. The others are Fran Garcia and David Alaba, but Tchouameni is the only one of the trio sure to raise interest at Anfield.

The 25-year-old made 31 LaLiga starts last season but had to contend himself at times with a centre-back position rather than his preferred central midfield role.

Under contract until 2028 in the Spanish capital, Tchouameni wouldn’t come cheap. Furthermore, according to Capology, the former Monaco star earns a pay packet of around €240k per week - placing him well within the category of Liverpool’s highest earners.

Nonetheless, this could be a transfer that makes a lot of sense for Arne Slot and Richard Hughes - should they be able to finance it. That will of course require outgoings.

READ MORE: Agent confirms star player has signed five year deal with Liverpool

First things first, Wirtz and Kerkez. After that, the Reds could be about to move for a familiar target in Tchouameni.