Liverpool could repeat Luiz Diaz signing by hijacking Man City transfer

Liverpool simply cannot afford to let Manchester City to sign Joshua Kimmich as they continue their search for a top defensive midfielder to replace Fabinho after the Brazilian move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.

This season, Wataru Endo has endeared himself to supporters with his displays in the no.6 role.

At times, he does struggle to match the tempo of the game and has been caught napping when in possession. With each passing match, however, his levels have improved.

Jurgen Klopp recently praised him, saying "We see him every day in training and he is one of the hardest-working people I ever met. It was always clear that it will be good, but I’m happy obviously for him that the public could see it now as well, because that’s pretty helpful in our job."

Yet, despite Endo's suitability to Liverpool's tactics, signing a natural defensive midfielder would have major benefits and with Joshua Kimmich reportedly available for just £25 million in the summer, it would be unwise to allow him to join Manchester City uncontested.

Kimmich reportedly wants to join Man City

A report from the Daily Star claims that Liverpool and Manchester United could miss out on signing Joshua Kimmich in the summer transfer window due to Manchester City's involvement.

Pep Guardiola, who signed Kimmich for Bayern, wants to take the German to the Etihad and the player is open to the opportunity ahead of his contract's expiry in June 2025.

Bayern Munich are ready to cut his transfer price from £50 million to £25 million to avoid losing him for free next year.

Rodri blocks Kimmich path to regular game time

It doesn't make much sense for Kimmich to move to Manchester City where his pathway into the starting lineup would be blocked by arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, Rodri.

Kalvin Phillips, who admittedly is nowhere near the level of Kimmich, has been a victim of Rodri's excellence.

The same fate could await Kimmich if he were to complete a move to Man City in the summer.

Previous report suggests Liverpool were confident of finalising a deal to sign Kimmich

Liverpool were reportedly confident of finalising a move to sign Kimmich in the summer before he ultimately stayed at the club.

With the no.6 now available for just £25M in the summer, it would be ill-advised for the Reds to standby at let him move to Man City when they sold Fabinho in the summer.

Kimmich would transform Liverpool midfield

He may not be the tallest defensive midfielder but what he lacks in height, he more than makes up for with his technical class and mentality.

When Klopp talks about his "mentality monsters", Kimmich is one of the non-Liverpool players that I always think would make a superb addition to the ranks at Anfield.

Nothing seems to faze him, he just continues with his job. Which he does better than almost anyone else in Europe.

One of the stats that stands out is that Kimmich completes 9.47 progressive passes per 90. This means that he is not only excellent at stopping attacks, but he contributes to Bayern Munich's attacking moves as well.

Liverpool should consider repeating Luis Diaz transfer hijack

£25 million is simply too cheap for a player of Kimmich's talents to pass up on.

He may be 28 but like when Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara in 2021, you cannot turn down the chance to sign players like Kimmich especially when your biggest title rival is interested.

If Man City were to sign Kimmich while Rodri is still at the club, it would only increase their stranglehold on the Premier League.

Liverpool could look to emulate another recent transfer when they left Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy "fuming" by hijacking Spurs' move to sign the Colombian from Porto.

When the Reds got word of their Premier League counterparts bidding for Diaz, they swiftly stepped in and held negotiations of their own before bringing him to Anfield.

It would be nice to see that done with Kimmich.

He could be a truly crucial signing considering the makeup of the Liverpool squad at the moment. With several new signings in need of a true anchor at the base of midfield, there are few better options than the Bayern Munich no.6.

Hopefully Liverpool can prevent Pep Guardiola from guiding his side to a record fourth consecutive league title this season before beating them to Kimmich's signature in the summer.