Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are biding their time in their ‘hunt for the new Gini Wijnaldum’ and a potential Michael Edwards masterclass is on the cards.
The ‘hunt’ for a new central midfielder is on after the Dutchman allowed his Liverpool contract to reach its final month and with just four days left on his terms, he has sealed a free agent move to PSG.
The club is now assessing the market by searching for both the best fit for Jurgen Klopp’s team and its style of play but also the best fit for Liverpool’s finances.
Fabrizio Romano says ‘nothing advanced’
The Italian journalist said on his Here We Go podcast that there is nothing advanced in the search for a Wijnaldum replacement despite interest in Bissouma and Neuhaus.
BIELEFELD, GERMANY – JANUARY 02: Florian Neuhaus of Gladbach in action during the Bundesliga match between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Schueco Arena on January 02, 2021 in Bielefeld, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
“I’ve seen many rumours about Bissouma and Neuhaus. There are players appreciated but nothing is going on,” he told the Here We Go podcast.
“Liverpool want to wait for the right opportunity for the heir of Wijnaldum.
“But at the moment there is still nothing advanced.”
This hints at a Liverpool masterclass
By this point, Liverpool are familiar with sporting director Michael Edwards.
Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is Jurgen Klopp’s key man behind the scenes. (Photo by the Bleacher Report)
His exploits in the transfer market and with contract extensions have been well noted and Wijnaldum’s refusal to sign the new deal offered to him might be his only real failure so far.
However, in the hunt for a new midfielder, he is playing the long game and could be doing so to pressure the likes of Brighton, Borussia Monchengladbach and Aston Villa into lowering their asking price.
Anfield Central was told in May that the asking price for Bissouma is £50million which saw Liverpool back away from a deal.
Neuhaus will cost in the region of £34million (€40m) and so their combined value is around £84million.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Ibrahima Diallo of Southampton and Yves Bissouma of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary’s Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
With Romano now saying that Liverpool are not in advanced talks for any of their midfield targets, they might be stalling on making further moves to see if selling clubs blink first.
Liverpool fans should have no doubt that Edwards and Jurgen Klopp will sign the best players possible while also ensuring they don’t throw money away unnecessarily the way their rivals have.
