Liverpool can finally sign £49m rated ace: Already rumoured to leave this summer and would be perfect Hendo alternative

Liverpool could be in the market for a new central midfielder after Thiago's injury - but could this £49M midfielder be the answer?

The Reds got off to a somewhat shaky start away at Fulham and also suffered another midfield injury leaving fans worried about their depth.

Looking across the market, there are options for Jurgen Klopp's side and if Liverpool make an approach it's unlikely many will turn it down.

We believe Youri Tielemans of Leicester City - who is already rumoured to leave - would be a great option for Liverpool.

Why Tielemans?

It's surprising no big team has moved for the highly experienced Belgian as of yet; he's played 159 games for Leicester, 52 times for his country, scored a worldie in the FA Cup final and can play anywhere in midfield.

As per FbRef.com, all of his attacking stats for a midfielder are in the higher echelons of the percentile rankings - he falls into the 85th percentile for shot-creating actions and non-penalty expected goals and expected assists combined.

He also is an accomplished passer of the ball featuring in the 89th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (5.83) and completes 89% of his passes (more than Thiago, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita).

A PL-proven player who can pass, shoot, create and cover box-to-box is certainly a coup for whoever can sign him.

Where he falls short is in his pressing; at Leicester, there is less of a reliance on that tactic, as he falls in the 29th percentile.

His tackling and defensive stats don't rate highly but it demonstrates his contribution which is an all-around defensive performance whilst also offering attacking support.

However, statistically, he is most similar to Sergej Milinković-Savić of Lazio, Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich, Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta and Liverpool's skipper Jordan Henderson.

Looking at his heap map below (SofaScore) it shows his all-round pitch coverage as well as his familiarity with the right-hand side - the position that Henderson occupies.

What about the Arsenal links?

He would be a great signing for Liverpool but Arsenal have been the team most strongly linked with a move this summer.

Mikel Arteta has pushed for the move but the club have yet to make a bid.

According to National News Sport, the Reds could have signed the Belgian, a signing which they considered relatively "easy" to complete.

The reason why the Reds reportedly decided to turn down those offers is that they do not want to sign new players who will start out at the higher end of the wage bill.

It's also clear that Liverpool don't sign 'stop-gap' players but with the future of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita uncertain, and the advanced ages of Thiago, Jordan Henderson and James Milner - it may be wise to move for someone like Tielemans here.