As the now-former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum is confirmed as a Paris Saint-Germain player moving forwards, attention turns to how the Reds may replace the evergreen Dutchman.
Despite not always grabbing the headlines, one of Wijnaldum’s main strengths to Jurgen Klopp’s side was undoubtedly his reliability.
In a campaign blighted by injury almost entirely across the Anfield squad, the 30-year-old was ever-available and managed to rack up a mammoth 51 appearances across all competitions.
It’s likely those outings will have to be replaced from outside the current crop, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita both unreliable in terms of fitness.
The newest name linked with the vacant midfield role is Lazio ace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
According to a report from Il Messaggero, as cited by LazioLand on Twitter, Klopp has earmarked the Serbian as a possible signing.
Twitter: Il Messaggero claim Liverpool are interested in #Lazio star Sergej #MilinkovicSavic.
It is said, however, that Laz… https://t.co/4ghnL2KF4p (@Lazio_Land)
The report claims the player’s agent has wanted that he could bring a ‘monstrous offer for Milinkovic-Savic from Liverpool’ as the Serie A giants prepare for life under ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
During 2020/21, the 21-cap star scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in 41 outings.
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Valued at an eye-watering £63million and under contract in Rome until 2024 (Transfermarkt), any offer would have to be ‘monstrous’ in order to land Savic.
Unsurprisingly Sarri is keen to build a team with the Serbian very much at the heart of matters, utilising the ace’s plethora of top-class midfield attributes.
Whilst Liverpool’s squad would be undoubtedly improved by Savic’s possible arrival, shelling to upwards of £70million on a central midfield seems hugely unlikely.
Still in need of attacking reinforcements, the Anfield hierarchy would be reticent to blow the budget wide open for a 26-year-old in a position of relative strength within Klopp’s side.
