---
title: "Virals: Liverpool tipped to uncover ‘perfect’ Gini Wijnaldum replacement"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-liverpool-tipped-to-uncover-perfect-gini-wijnaldum-replacement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-06-17T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-06-17T16:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Liverpool tipped to uncover ‘perfect’ Gini Wijnaldum replacement

Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli has been billed as the ‘perfect’ replacement for [Gini Wijnaldum](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/11/liverpool-wijnaldum-psg-departure/) at [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/06/17/england-starlet-jude-bellingham-picks-steven-gerrard-as-number-one/).

This comes after the Sassuolo ace put in a [stellar performance](https://www.sofascore.com/player/manuel-locatelli/363860) as Italy swept aside Switzerland [3-0](https://www.goal.com/en/news/euro-2020-italy-3-0-switzerland-full-match-reaction-and/gfxzrfhopbls1eklynib6kj57) in Group A of Euro 2020 on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old was a dominant force in the heart of Roberto Mancini’s side and capped the display off with [two well-taken goals](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9694601/Euro-2020-Fans-compare-Manuel-Locatelli-Marco-Tardelli-goals-against-Switzerland.html).

Previously [linked](https://www.rousingthekop.com/2021/06/09/reported-liverpool-target-locatelli-to-decide-future-after-euros/?utm_source%3Dhitc%26utm_medium%3Dcarousel%26utm_content%3Dtop) tentatively with the Reds, a report from the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1450964/Liverpool-transfer-news-Gini-Wijnaldum-replacement-Manuel-Locatelli-Italy-Euro-2020) has gone all-in on the possibility, backed up by Portuguese journalist [Goncalo Lopes](https://twitter.com/_GoncaloLopes/status/1405257073647095810) on Twitter.

> Twitter: Locatelli, Klopp, Liverpool. ![❤️](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/2764.svg) (@\_GoncaloLopes)

The all-action Italian has already [stated](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG7GsjdFc2M) discussions over any future decisions will have to wait until after the ongoing Euro 2020 competition.

But it would certainly seem there is a conversation to be had as [interest from Juventus](https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-could-be-forced-to-make-an-important-sacrifice-to-land-locatelli/) becomes common knowledge and the Serie A side’s own director has [admitted](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1400242222310871040?s=20) they ‘want to make Manuel \[Locatelli\] happy’.

Capped [12 times](https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-could-be-forced-to-make-an-important-sacrifice-to-land-locatelli/) by Italy, Locatelli enjoyed a superb 2020/21 campaign – [scoring four times and registering three assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manuel-locatelli/leistungsdaten/spieler/265088) in 34 appearances.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Signing a [Wijnaldum replacement](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-thiago-transfer-wijnaldum-replacement-20732723) must be high on the list of summer transfer priorities for Jurgen Klopp.

The Dutchman was pivotal to the side in every sense, none more so than an [unrivalled availability](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-replace-wijnaldum-psg-deal-20680866) record, making an astonshng [51 appaearnaces](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georginio-wijnaldum/leistungsdaten/spieler/49499) last season.

Albeit only a sample size career, by comparison, Locatelli has been [relatively injury-free](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manuel-locatelli/verletzungen/spieler/265088) up until now – a factor that makes the potential deal all the more appealing.

Valued at £31.5million and under contract until 2023 at the Mapei Stadium ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manuel-locatelli/marktwertverlauf/spieler/265088)), the reported [£34million asking price](https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/juventus-in-talks-to-sign-40m-italy-star-locatelli/18hf3o88gl5681bz4iyxxkxif8) should be one Liverpool are all over – especially following the impresive Euros displays.