Liverpool midfielder search: Scouts watch World Cup winner’s brother convincingly lead by example in European win
Liverpool are one of seven Premier League clubs keeping an eye on the brother of a World Cup winner who could strengthen their midfield, according to a report.
It will be one of Liverpool’s most important tasks in the summer to strengthen their midfield. They are likely to say goodbye to Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of their contracts. It remains to be seen whether vice-captain James Milner will earn a renewal or not, too.
Arthur Melo will also more than likely be returned to sender after his uneventful loan spell from Juventus. Furthermore, Fabinho has struggled for form this season, and isn’t far off joining Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara in the over-30 bracket.
Therefore, Liverpool need new energy in their midfield. In that regard, a top target might be Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund. On that front, a Bundesliga expert has reassured them that a deal could still be appealing to the England international even if they miss out on Champions League football.
But Bellingham alone would not fix all of Liverpool’s issues in the middle. Therefore, they are widening their search to look at other potential targets too.
And according to 90min, they are contenders for another, more experienced, option from the Bundesliga.
It is claimed that Liverpool scouts have been watching Union Berlin’s Rani Khedira, who is the younger brother of Sami, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014.
Specifically, they saw the 29-year-old captain his side in their Europa League win over Ajax on Thursday. In the process, they could have planted the seeds for a summer approach.
However, they are far from being Khedira’s only admirers. According to the report, six other Premier League sides have simultaneously been looking at the former Stuttgart, Leipzig and Augsburg man.
Khedira could alternatively end up at Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Everton, West Ham, Wolves or Leicester City if any of them firm up their interest.
Khedira could get chance with Liverpool or other Prem suitors
Union Berlin only have Khedira under contract until the end of the season, although they would like him to stay beyond then. But it seems he could have plenty of lucrative offers coming his way.
This season, Khedira has played 30 times in all competitions, but has not scored any goals or made any assists. His primary role is to sit in front of the defence as a holding midfielder, anyway.
More defensively, then, he averages more than two tackles per game and more than one interception in the Bundesliga. In possession, he completes more than 75% of his passes.
Therefore, he might be an intriguing player for Premier League clubs like Liverpool to give a chance to. It would be his first experience of playing for a club outside his native Germany.
Unlike his more famous brother, who retired in 2021, Khedira has never played for his national team at senior level. But he is growing in prominence during the prime of his career.
Hence, he could broaden his horizons ahead of the 2023-24 season. For now, though, he will be focusing on helping Union Berlin to achieve their ambitions this season. They are currently third in the Bundesliga table, level on points with their next opponents, Bayern Munich.
If they do qualify for the Champions League, it will be interesting to see if that has any effect on the level of club Khedira wants to consider for his next step.
