Liverpool preparing to sign £50k/wk ace with £42M exit clause: Statistically similar to £80M target they failed to sign

Liverpool have been linked with a midfield star who is statistically very similar to one of their failed transfer targets this summer.

The Reds have stuttered in the early parts of the season losing to Manchester United as well as suffering back-to-back draws with Crystal Palace and Fulham.

They've also had to contend with 10 first-team injuries, with four of those being in central midfield - an issue which was abundantly clear against United.

Now the Reds are being linked with AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer who shares striking statistical resemblance to Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni - who Liverpool missed out on earlier this summer.

Latest reports on Bennacer

The Reds had missed out on Monaco's Tchouaméni earlier in the window as Real Madrid splashed the cash to secure his signature in a deal worth €80M, with another €20M in add-ons.

According to Gazzetta in Italy, Liverpool are "huge admirers" of AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer but the Serie A side will do everything to make sure no one signs the 24-year-old this summer.

Bennacer, 24, is valued at £29M and has two years left on his current deal which is worth €53k-a-week. The deal could be done if Liverpool pushed, as reports claim his release clause is €50M (£42M) - according to fansite acmilaninfo.

It's a fee that Liverpool didn't opt to pay for Matheus Nunes, who ended up signing for Wolves last week.

How good is Bennacer?

The 24-year-old is now an experienced campaigner who was a key player in AC Milan's Scudetto triumph of last season. He also boasts 39 caps for Algeria on top of that.

Played in a two-man midfield for Milan, he would suit Liverpool's midfield as his stats show he ranks in the 85-95th percentiles for tackles, interceptions and pressures.

He combines tenacity in midfield with technical quality as he registers in the 99th percentile for dribbles completed and the 92nd percentile for progressive passes - he can do it all.

His injury record is also fairly solid with no long-term issues in the past but it's clear that he has built a strong bond with Milan who have a great set-up.

However, the calling of a top English club may be too hard to ignore for someone who could be Liverpool's present and future.