Liverpool reportedly made a sensational late transfer offer for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde this summer.
The Reds were scouring the transfer market in the closing stages for midfield reinforcements following injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. To fill the hole in the ongoing season, they managed to bring Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus with the option of making the move permanent.
But things could have been way different for the Merseyside club. According to Diario AS, Liverpool hoped to sign Federico Valverde from Real Madrid two days before the transfer window slammed shut. In fact, the Jurgen Klopp-managed club were even willing to splash as much as €100m to convince Real Madrid into selling their player, but the Spanish giants didn’t even consider the operation, the report adds.
Valverde, 24, is one of the most important players in Carlo Ancelotti’s side having started four out of five La Liga games so far this season, registering two goals and an assist in the process. The Uruguayan international starred in last year’s Champions League final win over Liverpool in France by assisting Vinicius Jr.’s second-half goal that later turned out to be the winner.
Federico Valverde to Liverpool—Should Klopp return for the Real Madrid star?
Jurgen Klopp’s midfield conundrum at Liverpool is apparent to watch for everyone. The German tactician is lacking youthful exuberance in the middle of the park, while the club is yet to replace Georginio Wijnaldum.
The constant injury problems of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, coupled with the ageing of players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara, has led to a dilemma for Klopp, whose Liverpool side have performed way below their standards in the Premier League this season.
As a result, the Kopites have been linked with a move for multiple midfielders, including Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham. However, having been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Federico Valverde from Real Madrid in the past transfer window, should Klopp renew his interest in him next year?
The Reds need to lay down succession plans for Milner and Henderson. In addition, Oxlade-Chamberlain is out of favour and could be allowed to leave in January, thus, opening up a spot in the midfield department. So, Liverpool returning for Valverde in 2023 makes sense.
Valverde has been a mainstay in the Los Blancos’ side since Carlo Ancelotti returned to the club two summers ago. Ancelotti has majorly used the 24-year-old as a wide playmaker, despite the player preferring to operate in central midfield. However, the plan seems to be working, as the Uruguayan is thriving and contributing heavily in terms of goals and assists.
At Liverpool, though, Klopp could view Valverde as a central midfielder that replaces either Milner or Henderson in the starting XI. A central midfielder capable of also playing out wide, Valverde’s dynamism, energy and athleticism would be a welcome addition to Liverpool. The 24-year-old would potentially add a lot of value to Klopp’s midfield that clearly needs refurbishing.
All in all, Liverpool should make another attempt to sign Valverde, even though it will be very difficult to prise him away from Real Madrid.
