If Liverpool's £60.3M transfer bid is accepted, "extraordinary" midfield star could transform Jurgen Klopp's side

Liverpool have been linked with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and if this move goes through, the Dutchman could transform Jurgen Klopp's side.

The Reds are scrambling around before next week's transfer deadline to find a midfield to combat their midfield crisis.

But a new target has emerged and it could be a fantastic option that could transform their midfield.

We break down the reports and analyse how Frenkie de Jong could fit in at Liverpool.

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Liverpool submit transfer bid for Frenkie de Jong

Liverpool have submitted a transfer offer worth £60.3M (€70.1M), via Forbes, to sign FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and he could transform Jurgen Klopp's side.

The proposed bid is less than what Barca paid for the Dutchman back in 2019 for a deal that was worth €75 million.

It's also less than the fee agreed by Manchester United earlier in the window, as part of a transfer saga that fell flat on its face.

The Red Devils reportedly agreed a €75M (+ €10M in add-ons) back in July but nothing prevailed.

Now the links have turned to Liverpool.

With Barca's financial problems there isn't anything you can rule out when it comes to the Catalan giants.

In de Jong, Liverpool would be signing an "extraordinary player", according to Xavi

It's very clear what Xavi thinks of de Jong; all through the window he's pushed for the player to stay and it certainly takes a top midfielder to know one and has been full of praise in the past.

He said via Spanish outlet, Sport, “The day that Frenkie de Jong signed for Barcelona I was very happy.

"I wished him luck on Instagram and he replied to me. He’s a player who could mark an era at Barca and one of the best of the great generation that Holland have for the World Cup, he’s still young.

“He’s an extraordinary footballer. A midfielder that is not afraid to receive the ball in difficult areas, I’ll repeat it, he’s a very good player.

"At Barca you need an excellent level to play. You get there and there is Messi, Griezmann, Pique, Busquets... the best in the world in your team.

“Frenkie needs time to adapt, learn a new language, culture, the game. It was hard for me, it was hard for Iniesta to make the difference when you are so young. De Jong is de Jong, nothing to do with Busquets, Iniesta or Xavi.”

How Frenkie de Jong could transform Liverpool

Liverpool have a mainly workman-like midfield with players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and only few technically gifted players who can control a game or create or score out of very little.

Thiago is the jewel in the crown of this Liverpool midfield and his technical elegance is sorely missed when he's not around - like he is now.

De Jong is also a diminutive midfielder, but his gifts come from a technical, rather than physical, standpoint.

His ball-carrying, progressive nature, passing quality and press resistance is all at a top, top level.

Looking at his stats they reflect that: he ranks between the 93rd-94th percentile for pass completion, progressive passes, progressive passes received, non-penalty xG and npxG + xA.

The thought of him and Thiago is very exciting, but this story isn't too realistic right now, but a lot can develop very quickly when Liverpool are involved.