Klopp sees Nunes as the solution to Liverpool’s midfield

Jürgen Klopp has his sights set on Matheus Nunes - at least according to reports in Portugal via local newspaper Correio Da Manha. They claim that Liverpool have a keen interest in the 23-year-old midfielder, who has carved out a regular place in Sporting Clube’s starting XI. The asking price for Nunes, they add, would be around £45 million, or 53 million in euros.

It is believed that Liverpool have completed their transfer activity this summer, in terms of incoming players. But Correio Da Manha report that the Reds would be willing to start formal negotiations with Sporting with just over a month to go before the summer transfer window ends. The alleged interest in Nunes is interesting in that he shares the same agent as recent arrival, Darwin Núñez - Jorge Mendes brokered the £85 million deal that made the Uruguayan striker the most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history.

Ageing midfield

It is glaringly obvious that Klopp’s midfield is an area that needs attention. Liverpool missed out on transfer target Aurelien Tchouaméni, who opted to sign for Real Madrid in a 100 million euro deal from Monaco. Since then, the Reds have continued to monitor the market.

With Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara having crossed the 30-year mark and James Milner now 36, Liverpool’s midfield will need to be rejuvenated sooner rather than later. On top of that Naby Keita has entered the final year of his contract and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s time at Anfield has been marred by injury and inconsistency - both are likely to move on when their contracts run out next summer.

The player that Klopp and Liverpool fans are excited about is Jude Bellingham but after Erling Haaland’s departure to City, Borussia Dortmund cannot risk losing another key player in the same window. For now, the short-term option could be Nunes.