Liverpool have been told that they need to break the bank to snap up the perfect replacement for Saudi Pro League target Fabinho, although Chelsea may have something to say about that.
Jurgen Klopp has already brought in two new midfielders this summer, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai signed to offset the loss of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
But with Jordan Henderson receiving a huge offer to join former Reds teammate join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hilal bidding £40million to sign Fabinho, there is likely to be another spot available in Klopp’s engine room.
And former Anfield frontman Stan Collymore thinks his old club should pull out all the stops to beat Chelsea to the signing of Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
The Seagulls ace has been the subject of a £70million bid from Mauricio Pochettino’s men this week, although the south coast side are still holding out for nearer to £100m.
However, whatever the cost, Collymore would love to see Caicedo in Merseyside red in the coming campaign.
He told CaughtOffside: “To replace Fabinho, I think Liverpool should break the bank for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and although it might be a little too soon for him, Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara would be an excellent acquisition for Klopp having been exceptional at times last season – although I think Aston Villa won’t be motivated to sell him this summer.
If they are looking for a defensive midfielder that will be there for the next four/five years, Caicedo would be my pick. Partnering him with Mac Allister, his former Brighton team-mate, would be very good as it was a pairing that produced tremendous results over the past season.
“Either way, Liverpool need to bring in one more player for their midfield
Caicedo still wants out of Brighton
Caicedo has made it clear he wants out of Brighton this summer, despite only recently signing a bumper new contract.
He came close to quitting the club in January but Arsenal failed with several offers for his services.
And, with the Gunners now turning to Declan Rice instead, Chelsea were thought to have a clear run at the Ecuador international.
Indeed, the player himself revealed he was keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge, telling Ecuadorian outlet TC Television recently: “It’s a big team, that’s true. A very historic team which I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team. The city as well is beautiful. It’s got everything beautiful.”
However, Liverpool’s interest, and the chance to link up with old Brighton teammate Mac Allister again, could sway his decision.
Klopp’s current midfielder numbers, not including Henderson or Fabinho, consist of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has shown his ability to play in the position.
But any negotiations with Brighton over Caicedo are likely to be extremely difficult, given how the Reds snapped up Mac Allister for an initial bargain fee of £35m.
