Liverpool are preparing for a busy summer transfer window as they aim to address how they can improve next season.
As they stand on the verge of winning the Premier League title, some may be wondering how exactly the Reds can get even better going forward.
However, despite Liverpool’s dominance in England this term, there are some clear areas in which they can bolster the playing staff.
One of those is in midfield, where Arne Slot has largely relied on four players – Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai – to fill three roles.
Across a full season, that has sometimes not felt like enough. With Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott seemingly not fully trusted by Slot, there is a feeling that a new midfield addition could arrive this summer
Two players who look like being good fits in terms of profile for the Liverpool squad are Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. But as the Reds begin to get their ducks in a row, journalist David Lynch has explained why neither are likely to arrive at Anfield.
Liverpool unlikely to sign Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba
The one big signing Slot tried to make last summer was Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. With that itch still yet to be scratched, some may expect a midfield arrival over the next few months.
But speaking to The Redmen TV, Lynch has suggested that strengthening the middle of the pitch won’t be Slot’s top priority this time. If an addition does come in, it is unlikely to be one with a big price-tag.
“The central midfield is I think one where people would like to see some spending done and a big signing made,” said the reporter.
“I think all of the talk around Wharton, for example, definitely a player Liverpool like. I know they were tracking him at Blackburn and so they’ll have watched him at Palace and he’s still absolutely brilliant. But the problem is you’re hearing numbers like £100m
“For Liverpool I just think – and I know people don’t like this – I don’t think a midfielder is going to be at the top of their priorities this summer,” Lynch adds. “They might lose Endo so they need to replace him, but they can’t replace him with a Wharton because I don’t know how you sell that to him.
“I just don’t think that midfield profile is going to be someone who’s an absolute world beater like a Baleba. Again, I don’t think he’ll be on the radar for that reason. If Endo goes they either take a look at Bajcetic in pre-season – and they will take a look at him – or find someone who’s in that stop-gap kind of market.”
Could Stefan Bajcetic be the answer?
As Lynch alludes to, Liverpool do already have an option within the squad who could come step in without the Reds having to spend a penny: Stefan Bajcetic.
Bajcetic has been doing well with Las Palmas in La Liga recently and touching on what Liverpool plan to do with the 20-year-old, Lynch says things are still unclear
“He’s very interesting,” he says. “It was very much said from people at Liverpool when he went out on-loan last summer that it’s just because of the fitness.
“But they’re going to get a real look at him now and has he moved up the pecking order, do they think he’s ready? I don’t know.
“The speed with which he was loaned out last summer makes me think if Slot has taken one look at him and maybe thought he’s not for him. I don’t know.