Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool want ready-made midfielder Arsenal bid three times for, as Reds conclude current star must go

Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz playing against Nottingham Forest

Liverpool are in the running to sign a Premier League midfielder who evaded Arsenal’s grasp, and he could take the place of a current star who the Reds have seen enough of, per reports.

Jurgen Klopp repeatedly trotted out the line Liverpool would only sign the right midfielder, not just any midfielder last summer. The Reds did push to sign Aurelien Tchouameni who would undoubtedly have fitted that bill. However, Real Madrid beat them to the punch.

Only when the injuries began to bite did Liverpool act in the market. Arthur Melo was drafted in on loan from Juventus, though his signing came with a risk.

There are no doubts the Brazilian can be an effective midfield destroyer when fit. However, keeping him out of the treatment room is never easy.

Arthur lacked match sharpness and embarked on a personal fitness plan to get up to scratch. However, after making just a 13-minute cameo in the Champions League, the inevitable happened.

Arthur has since been ruled out for three-four months after picking up an injury in training that requires surgery.

Liverpool did negotiate an option to buy in the loan deal worth around €37.5m (approx. £33m). However, according to TuttoJuve, Liverpool have zero intention of activating it.

Arthur injury the ‘last straw’

Via CBS Sports, it’s claimed his latest injury was the ‘last straw’ for Liverpool and has resulted in the Reds making their mind up early.

As such, even if Arthur impresses in the second half of the season, it appears the injury cloud that will always hang over Arthur will prevent Liverpool signing him outright.

With Arthur heading back to Turin next summer and James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of contract in 2023, Liverpool’s midfield will require major surgery.

Jude Bellingham is their primary target, though he cannot be the only new arrival.

Today’s Euro Paper Talk detailed the latest on their interest in Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. Now, a report from CalcioMercatoWeb puts them in the frame for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.

Can Liverpool succeed where Arsenal failed?

Arsenal tried and failed with three bids to sign the Aston Villa star over the summer. The Times reported the final offer was worth £25m, though Steven Gerrard and Villa would not budge.

Luiz, 24, would represent a ready-made option and would not require a bedding-in period. He is Premier League-proven and would represent a fine addition alongside a more high profile arrival, such as Bellingham.

Luiz’s contract at Villa park expires next summer, meaning he’s likely to be on the move in 2023.

Arsenal may yet reignite their interest and battle Liverpool for his signature in January. Fabrizio Romano confirmed Luis remains in the Gunners’ sights for January.

If Luiz is adamant he won’t pen fresh terms at Villa, a January bidding war would be Gerrard’s best outcome.

Alternatively, Liverpool and/or Arsenal could attempt to sign him as a free agent in the summer.

However, taking that approach could leave them empty-handed if another suitor pounces early.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool if one thing happens, with FSG fired dramatic warning about sacking Reds boss